# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![velomont](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8491ac/32.png) [@velomont](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/velomont)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/41 "2025-04-11T20:17:42Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Coke Zero is the same thing without caffeine There is also caffeine free Diet Coke which I love. ---
**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 11, 2025, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/42 "2025-04-11T21:14:54Z")
> [@velomont](#): > > There is also caffeine free Diet Coke which I love. Or, as I often disparage it: the least Cokey of the Cokes. (I still drink it from time to time.) ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/43 "2025-04-11T21:16:52Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > Sorry for the confusion! And thanks for the rescue. Punctuation and capitalization can help. “2 K-Cups” Instead of “2 k cups.” I’m still curious about: “one Pepsi one” That’s a little like Spanish with the question marks at beginning and end. Or legalese sorta: “one Pepsi (1)” Or maybe just overemphasizing: “One Pepsi. One. Just one, I swear I only had one.” ---
**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 11, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/44 "2025-04-11T21:37:52Z")
Sorry for the hasty post earlier. I meant Pepsi Zero - years ago a similar product was called Pepsi One for awhile. But I do like your description! I started a 10 day prednisone taper this week and it inevitably impacts everything I write and say so I am trying to limit myself until I am done with the meds. It tends to make me manic and fragmented. I lose attention to detail and focus. Potential confusion has been known to arise while I am on this RX and in fact I had a bit of a situation at work today lol. ---
**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 11, 2025, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/45 "2025-04-11T21:43:15Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > “One Pepsi. One. Just one, I swear I only had one.” One Coke Zero, too. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/46 "2025-04-11T21:47:17Z")
Everyone seems to be skipping over the “diet” part. Did you ever consider that the artificial sweeteners are the problem? Switch back to regular sugared drinks and see if the situation improves. If it does, find another place to reduce the 120 calories you were saving with the diet drink. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/47 "2025-04-11T21:50:42Z")
> [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](#): > > “One Pepsi. One. Just one “And she wouldn’t give it to me!” ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/48 "2025-04-11T22:09:34Z")
Every time I go to dialysis they hand me a can of regular coke or sprite. For unforseen glucose drops. I’ve rarely drank it. Ivy usually has it. I have other ways to bring up my glucose level that I can stomach easier. I don’t understand how anyone could drink a whole bottle of pop. I know they are addictive. My grandkids would chew their leg off to get to one. Kids should never get the first taste of it til they’re in their teens. Supervised. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/49 "2025-04-11T22:36:01Z")
I always say that was one thing my mom got right. We never had soda when we were kids. When I was a teen working at McDonalds, I got to drink all I wanted, thought I was in heaven. But the habit didn’t stick. These days I’ll theoretically have it as a treat when I don’t feel well, but it rarely seems to happen. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/50 "2025-04-11T23:15:41Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > I had never heard of [medication overuse headache](https://www.verywellhealth.com/rebound-headache-8391723) Also known as rebound headache. Lisa Kudrow’s dad was one of the first to describe the phenomenon. I’ve never drunk a lot of soda. Three cans a year would be a lot for me. I have to limit my calories and caffeine intake, and I’d rather eat my calories than drink them. I also prefer coffee to sweet drinks. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/51 "2025-04-11T23:18:50Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I also prefer coffee to sweet drinks. The two are not mutually exclusive. I just finished a bottle of Starbucks caramel (I think it’s latte?). I strongly prefer Wawa’s brand. Besides IMHO tasting better, they are half the price. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/52 "2025-04-11T23:22:34Z")
I used to occasionally drink a small mocha (not for years, though), but those super sugary coffee drinks nauseate me. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/53 "2025-04-11T23:42:34Z")
> [@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. If caffeine is your problem then the Excedrin is your problem. 3 Diet Cokes equals about one large cup of coffee caffeine wise. Those pills are more than double that depending on how much you take. And you take it all at once when you pop a pill, not gradually as you sip a soda. Knock off all caffeine and then use just enough that you don’t feel crummy but you’re not using that much. Report back with your results. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2025, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/54 "2025-04-11T23:56:11Z")
I used to drink energy drinks as my caffeine vector. Then one morning I had an especially egregious hangover. Usually chugging an energy drink would help but not that time. I near instantly barfed it all up. Now all energy drinks taste like barf to me, so problem solved. I only drink water now. Or beer. > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > “And she wouldn’t give it to me!” I’m glad I’m not the only one to think the same thing! ---
**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 12, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/55 "2025-04-12T00:42:42Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > If caffeine is your problem then the Excedrin is your problem. 3 Diet Cokes equals about one large cup of coffee caffeine wise. Those pills are more than double that depending on how much you take. And you take it all at once when you pop a pill, not gradually as you sip a soda. To put numbers on it, one Excedrin is 65 mg of caffeine and one can of Diet Coke is 46 mg of caffeine. I don’t think the headaches are from losing the soda caffeine given the number of pills you’re taking. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/56 "2025-04-12T00:57:03Z")
Yeah, not coffee. Dessert. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/57 "2025-04-12T01:12:54Z")
Are you 100% certain the issue is caffeine? If you have given up diet soda and you are following the advice of a nutritionist it is likely you are changing the flora in your gut. AIUI, Aspartame has a negative effect on internal bacteria. Cutting it out of your diet and eating things that feed the good bacteria might cause some issues. Issues that do go away sooner rather than later. ---
**Author:** ![X.L.Lent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/a5b964/32.png) [@X.L.Lent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X.L.Lent)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/58 "2025-04-12T06:01:30Z")
I quit drinking Coca-Cola about 5 years ago. I was having one at lunch time and sometimes a second one in the afternoon. I quit by slowly pushing back the time that I would have the coke. I would eat my lunch for about 5 - 10 minutes before taking a sip of the coke. About a week later I pushed it back to 10 - 15 minutes. After about another week I would drink water for the first half of my lunch and then switch to coke for the second half. Eventually I got to the point where I would just drink water but would buy a coke to drink at my desk after lunch. After a while I pushed this back to 10 minutes after lunch, then 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. until I was getting through most of afternoon with having a coke. At the end of the day I would dump any remainder into the sink. I kept pushing it back until after about 5 - 6 weeks I stopped drinking it on a daily basis. I still will have one occassionly but don’t really like the stuff any more - it tastes sickeningly sweet now, probably due to the fact that I’ve mostly given up sugar also. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/59 "2025-04-12T09:21:19Z")
I an very sensitive to caffeine. Every year, in preparation for fasting on Yom Kippur, i cut back on my tea consumption over a week or two. I never go cold turkey. That leads to headaches, tiredness, etc. I actually measure out my daily doses of loose tea to make sure i decline gradually. Some years i go right back to tea after the holiday, other years i stay off caffeine for a month or more. I took a no-doz once. Never again. I’ve never taken Excedrin. But the caffeine pill was pretty potent. There are other painkillers that don’t come packaged with caffeine. I also can’t take caffeine after lunch or it disrupts my sleep. Ymmv. But you might try drinking soda only in the morning, and see if that helps the issues you are having. Most people can safely consume the equivalent of a could cups of coffee a day. ---
**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 12, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872/60 "2025-04-12T13:29:19Z")
A No Doz is 200 mg or three Excedrins. A standard 8 oz cup of coffee is around 100 mg [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-your-experiences-with-quitting-sodas-caffeine-mine-is-bad/1016872.md?page=4)