How do I kick my caffeine habit?

I transitioned from coffee to tea. It has less caffeine, but is enough to give you a boost.
But not sure about a similar product that would have a similar taste to Mountain Dew.

When quitting any addiction you have to be absolutely committed. You also have to consider that this isn’t just a caffeine addiction, it is a sugar addiction as well. Mountain Dew, for the longest time, was considered the cola with the most sugar.

You really shouldn’t quit cold turkey because you get horrible withdrawl symptoms. Taper the amount off over a week , but not any longer. Then you will go through a couple days of feeling like crap. Then you have to deal with avoiding triggers that make you drink the soda. For example most people will drink it with salty foods as it makes them taste better. (i love soda as well, ick).

Finding a substitute without sugar or caffeine can also be helpful. Water is great if you can handle it or herbal tea. Or you can drink carbonated juice drinks, some are horrible and others are great.

If you are really just trying to get off the Caffeine and not the sugar you could try switching to non-caffeinated sodas of which there are tons of choices.

Also you might like to know that it takes 32 equivalent sized bottles of water to rid yourself of the toxins in one soda.

What typically makes you start drinking the soda again once you quit??

Also remember that half of the battle with any addiction is also mental thing. You truly have to want to quit yourself.

cold turkey

I have learned it is the cheapest and in the long run, highest success rate way for this type of thing.

So go on a little purification stint and make sure you drink tons of water. You will probably need something for your headaches initially, but they should subside in about a week. Really the biggest obstacle will be psychological, and of course moodiness. Let people you are close to know up front so they can be both supportive and understanding when you’re jonseing and feel like you’re gonna flip out.

If you’re a guy, the thought of this alone could be very motivating: there is a known connection with highly acidic sodas (like the Dew) and the occurance of kidney stones in male patients.

@mcbealer True, usually substituting one thing for another is a bad thing to do because you wind up trying to get off the next thing then the next and the next, it turns into a vicious cycle..

Usually a craving. I don’t have withdrawal symptoms such as headaches so bad when I try to quit cold turkey, but I’ll get thirsty and it feels like the only thing I could possibly drink to fix it is mountain dew.

My best run was about 3 months (where I felt great, by the way) which came to a crashing halt after I went to Taco Bell and didn’t want to pay the extra money for water, so I figured a mountain dew couldn’t hurt. It tasted like crap at the time, but I wanted more.

I think the main problem is availability; everywhere I go there’s cheap, convenient Mountain Dew nearby in disposable containers, whereas with water I have to carry a sports bottle with me or pay near double for bottled water.

@RocketSquid Water is free from most taps and is a great thirst quencher. ;) If that doesn’t do it for you, many places have unsweetened iced tea.

@RocketSquid That thirstiness can be solved. It could be about a few things. First off when you feel thirsty drink a full glass of water whether it sounds appealing or not. Then if you are still craving the Mountain Dew go crab anything carbonated.

Ya I get the Taco Bell/Soda association. Careful not to trigger yourself. And always pay extra for the freaking water.

I say carry the sports bottle with you. Also if you get tap water (which is often filtered at restaurants, coffee shops, soda fountains) it costs about 25 cents.

I am also a Dew addictee, but I only have about 2 a day… 2 liters, wow! Well, cold turkey is hard, because your body is so used to the caffeine that you’ll get a headache. I would just keep trying by drinking alternatives or weening off slowly.

Good luck, I’m trying to as well!

The mental sort of game also applies, like outoftheblue said earlier. Are you convinced you have good reason to quit? You could research and find some articles about how bad caffeine and high fructose corn syrup is for you, or just how much sugar you are putting in your body every day.
on a non-mental level, I’d recommend getting a calendar or schedule and gradually weening yourself off with tea or coffee, making lighter and lighter brews each time.

Also, drink lots of water with soft drinks. It’ll help cleanse your teeth of all the nasty sugars and what not so they don’t rot as fast.

Two words would make me end the habit FAST: Dew Mouth

In the Appalachia’s theis syndrome affects most of the “hill” people.

Here: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/soft-drinks-america.html

@SpatzieLover Thanks to you, I’ve just threw the last of my bottle in the trash.

Habit =Kicked.

I would NOT quit caffeine cold, I have had some really bad withdrawl headaches after that. I would however quit the dew cold, and either drink coffee or tea or take a pill to give you some caffeine and gradully cut that back.

With soda people seem to also get addicted to the drink (ouside of the caffeine) itself not sure why this is but even tho I drink coffee and tea I still sometimes crave Diet Coke.

@RocketSquid Now do us a favor and keep us updated here. <crosses fingers & toes>

:) Here’s to a healthier you! Cheers <holds up a glass of water>

Invent rewards. If you succeed limiting your caffeine intake to say 3 cups a day to will be allowed to open a bottle of expensive wine together with your partner/best friend. It could also be a special-flavor ice cream or a ticket for a unusual event.