My Diet Coke addiction had to finish | Bella Mackie

‘Obviously, if you insist on getting fizzy drinks on a regular basis, then a reduction in sugar is possibly wise.’ Photograph: Geoff Abbott/Demotix/Corbis

Six months in the past, on a regimen journey to the GP, my diet program came up. Yes, I assured him, I was consuming my five a day and doing exercises frequently. And no, binge consuming wasn’t a hobby. Feeling mildly smug, I talked about that my only massive vice was Diet Coke, but that it need to be a pretty mild indulgence when ranked on the virtually never ever-ending listing of what we ought to/should not be consuming.

The medical professional raised his eyebrows and asked how considerably of the fizzy stuff I drank a day, at which point I felt my self confidence desert me. I was drinking at least three litres a day. I was never without a bottle. I began on the things at 9am, and continued to quaff it until finally bedtime. I could give up booze, coffee and cake but I would by no means managed to wean myself off the Coke.

As I admitted this, I noticed the medical professional look at me in absolute horror, exchange glances with the equally stunned trainee who was observing the consultation, and start scribbling notes in my file.

Soon after currently being given a extreme lecture on the state of my abdomen lining, the effects of all that caffeine on my system (hello, nervousness!) and informed to end consuming it altogether, I left the surgical procedure feeling mildly ashamed. That night, after reading through a great number of blogs about the horrors of fizzy drinks, I bade farewell to my trusty carbonated pal, and haven’t touched a drop given that.

It seems I am not alone in my new, unsweetened lifestyle. This 12 months, the revenue figures for fizzy drinks produced by the Coca-Cola organization fell for the very first time in 15 many years. In Britain alone, the figures dropped by 10% (in fairness, that was most likely all down to me). Like any firm with a ferocious PR staff, the brand did what it could to modify this reversal of fortune – it announced it would increase its marketing and advertising spending budget to $ 4bn, and has right now launched a new model of Coke – Coca-Cola Existence.

Not material with flooding the fizzy drinks market place with the selections we already have – typical Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero and caffeine-totally free Coke – the makers want to give us even a lot more option. A standard 330ml can of Coke has 139 calories and 35g of sugar in it. The oddly named Coca-Cola Lifestyle will have a third less sugar and calories, all whilst retaining that sweet, indescribable taste. It’ll also be produced with natural sweeteners, if aspartame isn’t your issue.

Clearly, if you insist on possessing fizzy drinks on a normal basis, then a reduction in sugar is possibly sensible. In the Uk, 67% of males and 57% of women are either overweight or obese, and sugary drinks are portion of the dilemma. Businesses this kind of as Coca-Cola know this, which is why it has produced adverts displaying you fun methods to burn off the calories in a single can of its merchandise (it suggests 23 minutes sweating it out on a ridiculous circus bike, if you happen to be so inclined). In addition, when you study the regular headlines about some of the worrying elements we absorb from soft drinks, this new lower-sugar edition looks a bit like a solution born of desperation.

Providing up my favourite drink was as difficult as I had feared. I set about it with a determination to go cold turkey, being aware of that even 1 can would make me slip back into previous habits. For the 1st month, I felt exhausted and could barely hold my eyes open at my desk. Then came the nerves, the feeling that something was missing. Last but not least, I experimented with a selection of disgusting fruity substitutes, hoping to uncover one thing to fill the aspartame gap in my lifestyle.

When the cravings lastly lifted, I felt ludicrously triumphant. No longer possessing to be concerned about whether or not the office canteen has run out of Coke has manufactured me wonder why I ever drank so considerably of the things for properly over a decade. Right after all, having a fizzy drink is not like possessing a donut, or devouring a tasty ice-cream. There is no nutritional value in a soft drink. It does not fill you up, excite your tastebuds or get you drunk. And in my case, I was not even drinking empty calories – I was consuming practically nothing. And spending six quid a day for the privilege.

If you can enjoy a soft drink as an infrequent treat, then by all signifies carry on. But possibly we need to all be picturing the horrified face of my seasoned GP when we head to the vending machine, and go straight to the tap rather. Failing that, have a glass of wine. Apparently, it’s good for you. Properly, this week, at least.

My Diet Coke addiction had to finish | Bella Mackie