Why is it So Hard to Quit Sugary Drinks?

You probably always hear that it is best to steer clear of sugar-filled drinks such as soft drinks and juices. Sugary drinks like these have been linked to the growing rate of obesity in our country as they contribute to a high sugar diet. Did you know that a typical 12 ounce can of cola contains 39 grams of sugar, which is 140 calories from sugar alone? That is way over the recommended 25 grams per day for women.

Switching away from high sugar drinks is often an important first step in ones journey to a healthier self. The thought of swapping out water or other low sugar drinks for soda may seem easy, but it turns out those sugary drinks are a large obstacle for many to overcome.

Why is it so hard to make the switch off soda and other sugary drinks?

For starters, changing any action you’re accustomed to will be difficult. This is especially true of eating and drinking habits because they often are associated with emotions and stress.

What makes this more challenging is that high doses of sugar are known to interact with stress hormones and stress responses in the body. This means sugar-filled drinks can interfere with your body’s normal response to stress, resulting in muted feelings and symptoms of stress.

This plays a role in why some people have a hard time removing sugary drinks from their diet when they are on a journey to healthier eating and living.

Breaking the habit of having sugary drinks may cause increased feelings of stress, as the body’s natural stress response is no longer being suppressed. This often leads to drinking sweetened beverages to get a “fix” of relief. Rather than relying on these drinks to relieve stress, the focus should be on managing stress without turning to food and beverages, such as exercise or mediation.

High amounts of sugar from foods and drinks can disrupt normal endocrine functions and cause weight gain. A little stress-free buzz from a sugary drink is not worth that internal stress on your body!

If you are struggling to make the switch off sugary drinks, take it slow. Try by replacing one drink a day with water infused with fresh fruit or herbal tea. Eventually you will forget you ever drank soft drinks.

Your turn to take action: Start your switch today. Let me know in the comments below what your new favorite beverage is.