# What are your experiences with quitting sodas \[caffeine\], mine is bad **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 10, 2025, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872 "2025-04-10T17:49:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/21 "2025-04-10T18:48:05Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I have back pain so i take a lot of Excedrin I used the Migraine formula because it seemed to work better. It’s basically Excedrin with caffeine. But no tea or the like. I’ve also since cut that out. Excedrin Migraine and Extra Strength Excedrin are identical by the way. Long story. Both have caffeine. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/22 "2025-04-10T18:58:21Z")
I quit sodas for New Years. Worst 15 minutes of my life. I have a problem. It’s not the caffeine. Caffeine doesn’t affect me and I have plenty of coffee and teas around. Maybe it’s the carbonation. Definitely not the sugar as I drink zeros. But ultimately it is the flavor. I love how soda tastes. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/23 "2025-04-10T19:00:58Z")
I thought I was taking a lot of caffeine, through the strong black tea I drink at the rate of about 1.5 liters per day (4 or 5 days a week), but if the Mayo Clinic table is to be believed, that amounts to about 300 mg, which is well below the 400 mg per day which various sources seem to regard as safe for just about any adult. And yet it peps me up pretty well when I’m feeling sluggish, so that I don’t just fall asleep in my chair but actually get up and do stuff. This thread had got me to thinking whether I need to quit or cut down on caffeine, but I don’t think I will. But it was a salutary exercise to think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/24 "2025-04-10T19:19:51Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > But it was a salutary exercise to think about it. Ha ha, well you’ve done your part. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/25 "2025-04-10T19:24:40Z")
I just quit. There were no effects. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/26 "2025-04-10T19:33:03Z")
One reason to quit sodas (and sweet drinks in general) is that they train your brain to seek out sweet rewards. It can make it difficult to cut calories since anything that’s not sweet tastes yucky because you’ve trained yourself that sweet is normal. But if you can kick the sweet drink habit, it becomes easier to have a healthier diet in general because you’ll become more accepting of simpler nutrition options. For instance, unsweetened ice tea is a great drink. But if you’re used to sweetened tea and sodas, then the bitterness is a turnoff and you’ll think it’s yucky. You’ll turn to drinks that have sugar or artificial sweeteners. And you’ll want that kind of sweetness in other foods you eat, like breads, which come from manufacturers adding sweeteners. The challenge you’ll have with giving up soda is that you’re giving up two (kinda) addictions at the same time: caffeine and sweetness. They are both going to have their own cravings. You might want to just try to give up one at a time. Perhaps switch to caffeine-free soda first until you get over your caffeine addiction. Then once you are caffeine-free, consider weaning yourself off sweetened drinks. Doing them one at a time may be easier than both at once. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/27 "2025-04-10T19:36:25Z")
For sure. I quit Sprite which doesn’t have caffeine and it was tough. I just slowly stopped. If I had one after not having one for a week or so, I’d get mild cravings. I switched to soda water with a splash of pomegranate juice. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/28 "2025-04-10T19:40:56Z")
Years ago I used to drink a couple pots - yes, pots - of coffee per day. That was a bugger to quit. I still have 2 K cups of coffee per day and one Pepsi one in the evening. If I wanted to quit I would do a gradual elimination. I have actually missed my coffee during some traveling in recent years and it doesn’t bother me too much. And I am old. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/29 "2025-04-10T19:48:18Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I still have 2 K cups of coffee per day I read that, briefly, as two thousand cups of coffee a day, before I realized what you must actually mean. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/30 "2025-04-10T19:55:25Z")
What _does_ “2 K cups of coffee” mean? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/31 "2025-04-10T20:00:06Z")
> **[Keurig: K-Cup® Pods](https://www.amazon.com/stores/Keurig/page/60C51055-C8F7-4898-9C8E-119B62841040)** > > Authentic, full-flavored coffee house taste from over 75 of the world’s best beverage brands, including Starbucks®, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters®, Dunkin’ Donuts®, and more in bold, mild, decaf or flavored varieties. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/32 "2025-04-10T20:56:31Z")
Sorry for the confusion! And thanks for the rescue. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/33 "2025-04-10T20:59:35Z")
I gave up the Diet Cokes (2 20 ounce bottles most days), but switched to coffee. I don’t get headaches when I don’t have coffee, though. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/34 "2025-04-10T21:02:28Z")
> [@P-man](#): > > I don’t get headaches when I don’t have coffee, though. I had tried to quit a couple of times in the past, but couldn’t stand the tremendous headaches. This time I seem to have gotten past that but the fatigue. yow. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/35 "2025-04-10T21:23:11Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Excedrin Migraine and Extra Strength Excedrin are identical Interesting. I had never heard of [medication overuse headache](https://www.verywellhealth.com/rebound-headache-8391723) (MOH). ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/36 "2025-04-10T21:33:29Z")
For what purpose do you want to give up caffeine? ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/37 "2025-04-10T21:56:02Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > For those who had similar experiences, how long til this period is over. It makes me want to start drinking Cokes again. Not me, but my spouse weaned himself off of drinking insane amounts of Diet Coke. He switched to iced tea, first with real sugar and gradually cutting back to drinking unsweetened tea. This was about 15 years ago so I may not remember all the details correctly, but I don’t think he experienced much in the way of physical discomfort. Just cravings. To the extent that this is about caffeine: I went from drinking about 10 cups of coffee/day to anywhere from 0 to 3. While I was at my max, if I skipped a day for some reason, I had no headache or other side effects. This amazed my doctor. Since then I’ve read that there are two types of people as regards caffeine metabolism - fast and slow. They react to withdrawal very differently; it’s either a nightmare or painless. I don’t remember which is which, but obviously I’m an extreme on the “no side effects” end of the scale. You must be on the other. A very gradual lessening of daily caffeine intake seems like the best approach. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/38 "2025-04-10T22:21:57Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > For what purpose do you want to give up caffeine? Caffeine consumption can lead to various health issues, including anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure. It’s the insomnia and higher heart rate that I was trying to get rid of. When I was younger and caffeine free, my RHR was in the low 60s. It’s considerably higher now. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/39 "2025-04-10T23:09:44Z")
I recently reduced my snack intake, and immediately lost several kilos in weight. I’m definitely not going to give up my Pepsi Max, I’d have nothing left to live for. Sacrifice has to be balanced, surely. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/40 "2025-04-11T20:09:40Z")
For a New Year’s resolution (2022, I think) I gave up soda. I wasn’t a huge soda drinker, but I did drink several Diet Pepsi’s and Coke Zeroes each week. So maybe 2 a day? Which actually… yeah, that was a lot I suppose. Anyway, it’s been the only NYR I’ve been able to keep. I think in the intervening 3+ years I’ve had maybe half a dozen sodas, each time due to my blood sugar starting to tank and needing a quick glucose shot. For whatever reason I never really felt the impact of giving up all that soda, other than that of my wallet not shrinking as fast. I had also given up coffee the year before so the entirety of my caffeine intake was black tea, a mug of which I drank maybe twice per day. I’ve once again become deeply addicted to coffee, something I plan to give up gradually and switch back to tea. But the sodas, that was easy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872.md?page=3)