How to Switch from Regular Soda to Diet Soda

We've all heard it time and time again: drinking regular soda corrodes your teeth and adds empty calories to your daily diet. The high amounts of caffeine and sugar lead to cavities, extra pounds and boosts of energy that inevitably lead to crashing. On the other hand, switching from regular soda to diet soda adds immediate health benefits: if you consume up to five cans of regular soda a day, that can add up to 850 extra calories. Switch from regular soda to diet soda, and achieve quick weight loss in addition to lasting health benefits, provided you don't switch back to the regular stuff. In addition, achieve greater dental health after switching from regular soda to diet soda. Just keep in mind the following tips when adjusting your palette to the taste of diet.

First, don't expect immediate results. What I mean is don't expect to be able to switch from regular soda to diet soda in just one day. Doing that will only increase your guilt as you continue to drink regular soda. You must set yourself up for gradual change. Start by replacing one regular soda a day with one diet soda. Build up your tolerance to the different taste and gradually start to increase the replacement until you have completely switched from regular to diet.

One of the best ways to become accustomed to the taste of diet soda is to start at your local gas station. The drink fountains typically have very cold soda, which will help mask the taste of diet soda if all you're used to is regular. Start by filling half your cup with regular soda and then top it off with the same soda, only in the diet version. Gradually add more and more diet soda and less regular soda until the day when you can drink an entire cup of diet.

Also, another thing to keep in mind is that even diet soda isn't that great for you. The added sweeteners pose health risks, though not as much as the refined sugar in regular soda. If you're looking to cut soda out of your diet entirely, and immediately feel more energy as a result, start with the above tips and then start adding other liquids to your diet, namely water. If you're craving a soda, force yourself to drink a glass of water first. This will help you feel fuller and more hydrated, so that you may not even need to drink the diet soda at all. If you do, think of it as a reward for drinking the water first. If water is too bland for you, add some lemon or lime to better the taste, or brew some decaffeinated tea instead.

Switching from regular soda to diet soda will add immediate health benefits to your life, not to mention increase your level of daily energy. Start with these tips for a gradual change from regular soda to diet soda, which will lead to better health and help you lose some of those extra pounds in the process.