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Home » Diet » Austin360Cooks: What happens when you go cold turkey on Diet Coke? – Austin American-Statesman

Readers, I come to you in a state of dietary chaos.

When I first shared my journey with you last month, I was full of optimism. I had embarked on a new life of plant-based eating and had retooled my diet to mainly include fruits, vegetables, tubers, whole grains and legumes. I eschewed meat, dairy products and highly refined foods like bleached flour and refined sugar.

Revamping your diet is a major undertaking, but my resolve was strong. I wanted to eat healthier, improve my digestion and avoid eating animals for moral reasons.

And it was going great. I hadnt had any meat since Dec. 27. Dairy was mostly out and my greatest hits included regulars such as garbanzo beans, rice, spinach, tomatoes, spaghetti squash, carrots, oatmeal, grapes, mushrooms, whole grain bread and potatoes.

Over time, my digestion improved, my skin glowed, my confidence soared. For the first time, I had changed my diet for health and not because of a desperate attempt to lose weight. I felt empowered. I felt so free that I actually went to True Blue Tattoo and bragged about my new life to artist Jason Garcia while he gave me that fabulous feather and inkwell tattoo that Id wanted for decades.

Food was no longer my enemy. Life was sweet. I was so swept up in my victory that I decided to take on my biggest nemesis yet: Diet Coke.

For decades, Diet Coke has been a big part of my life. I generally drank six to eight cans a day. When I went plant-based, I knew Id eventually have to tackle my addiction, no matter how hideous the detox. So I finally went cold turkey.

It was horrendous. Sometimes the headaches woke me out of a deep sleep, but I had anticipated that and wasnt surprised. What I hadnt expected was the massive sweetness void left behind by the lack of soda.

Suddenly, all I wanted to do was eat. Not eat something eat everything. The sweeter, the better.

Girl Scout cookies called to me, and I answered. Ice cream beckoned and cake soon followed. I dumped SweetN Low in my tea and then ate some more junk.

I gained three pounds. My skin grew dull. I dont even want to talk about how bloated I felt.

Eager to get back on track, I turned to Jessica Pearson and Beth Barnett-Boebel with Path Nutrition. The best thing to do was drink lots of water, get enough protein and fats, ditch the SweetN Low and stop beating myself up.

Youre absolutely not a loser, Pearson answered after I labeled myself as such. Please be kind to yourself. This is a lifestyle change.

People switch their eating habits for lots of reasons. Asking yourself why youre embarking on a new diet helps people figure out whats important to them, Barnett-Boebel said. The sooner people start making healthier choices, the better, she added.

I know not every 25- or 30-year-old wants to think about what theyll be like at 60, but its important, she said.

These days, Im actually feeling great. About two weeks after I quit Diet Coke, my energy skyrocketed. I wake up earlier and am more alert. Im more focused, and its not such a struggle to concentrate later in the afternoon. Im on the other side of my post-soda cravings.

But Im a skeptical person. I hadnt expected this setback, and while Ive clawed my way back, Im feeling less confident in my long-term resolve. All I can do is keep plugging along, stick to my convictions and thank God that Girl Scout cookie season is finally over.

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Austin360Cooks: What happens when you go cold turkey on Diet Coke? - Austin American-Statesman

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Home » Diet » Austin360Cooks: What happens when you go cold turkey on Diet Coke? – Austin American-Statesman