Consumption of sugary beverages may be causing as many as 184,000 adult deaths worldwide each year, heart experts say. Soft drinks, sports-energy drinks and sweetened iced tea are the chief culprits. One 12-oz. can of Pepsi has as much sugar as eight Oreo cookies. These beverages offer no benefits and have led to thousands of deaths from diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
If you’re considering cutting back, or even quitting entirely, these tips may help.
- Calculate what you spend on soft drinks. Plan to put the money you save by cutting back into a fund for a vacation or new wardrobe.
- Estimate how many sodas you drink each week. Then calculate your calorie and sugar consumption from those beverages. Does the figure alarm you?
- When tempted to drink a soda, first drink an 8-ounce glass of water. You may no longer want the soda. Bored with plain water? Add lemon, orange, or cucumber slices to a pitcher of water kept in the fridge.
Most experts advise against quitting cold turkey. They suggest buying smaller sizes, choosing decaffeinated options, and indulging less frequently. If you accept the challenge of quitting, try it as a temporary lifestyle change—for two weeks—say. Dare your friends to do the same.
Watch your health blossom.
Additional Articles:
