4 Ways to Combat Soda & Sweet Cravings the Healthy Way for a Better Body

Here are 4 ways to help you eliminate soda and sweet cravings from your diet and help you build a healthier body.

If you’re on a fitness journey at the moment, one of the things you want to eliminate from your diet is soda.

With empty calories in different types of soda ranging from 250 calories to over 400 calories depending on the size, you’re going to face an uphill battle getting to your goal weight.

What Does it Mean When You Crave Soda?

I was once obsessed with Fanta strawberry. I drank 2 – 3 bottles per day. Every meal tasted better as long as there was some of that pinky-red goodness included.

As it became harder to breathe in my regular clothes, I knew something had to be done.

I don’t eat too many unhealthy things so it was easy for me to pinpoint the culprit to Fanta strawberry.

However, it’s not always easy to kick an addiction to soda and sweets cold turkey. 

You’ve trained your brain and body to long for the sugar rush and retraining them won’t be an easy task.

How to Stop Drinking Soda

One of the best ways I found to combat my craving for soda was incorporating flavored water into my diet. 

Flavored water isn’t a novel concept but not many people bother with it. Here are some reasons why you need to include flavored water in your diet:- 

Why Drink Flavored Water?

• Flavored water combats sugar and soda cravings. As your body gets used to the flavored water over time, you are less likely to crave sugar and soda.
• Flavored water can be refreshing especially on a boiling summer day.
• Flavored water helps you get more water in your diet. If you find it difficult to drink 8 glasses of water in a day, flavored water can help you get there faster.
• Flavored water complements your weight loss regimen and can possibly speed weight loss along depending on the type of water.

By the way, I’m not referring to most commercial flavored water, which also contains artificial sweeteners.

You’re not really solving the problem if you drink this type of flavored water. 

So what type of flavored water should you start with? The DIY kind of course. I have tried many types of flavored water and below are the best 4 so far:-

4 DIY Flavored Water Recipes

1. Cinnamon Flavored Water

Spice things up with a cinnamon stick. This has a bit of kick to it and helps with lowering cholesterol as well.

Infuse 2 sticks of cinnamon in a jar of water overnight. The next morning, strain and mix the colored liquid with your drinking water.

Store in the fridge and consume within a few days.

2. Fruit Flavored Water

Infuse seasonal fruits such as oranges, lemons, cucumbers, grapefruit, and strawberries in a large jar of water early in the morning and seep as much as you want throughout the day.

You can also sprinkle a few pinches of ginger powder or 2 slices of fresh ginger in the jar every morning.

3. Herb Flavored Water

Infuse a few sprigs of herbs such as mint, basil, and parsley for a punchy flavor. Pour into a large jar of water and drink throughout the day.

4. Fruit Puree Flavored Water

This is a novel variation of the recommendations above. Puree your choice of fruits and/or herbs in a blender or food processor.

Pour the pureed fruit into ice-cube trays like this one and freeze overnight then drop as needed in a bottle of water over the course of the day.

You can use a regular old jar to make your flavored water but a water infuser does make things a bit easier and less messy.

I’ve recommended three popular brands of water infuser below:-

Best Water Infuser Bottles

Live Infinitely BPA Free Water Bottle

Avoin Water Infuser

Brimma Leak Proof Fruit Infuser Water Bottle

Over time, I’d say 6 – 8 weeks, although it could be sooner or later, you will eventually combat the cravings but don’t stop there.

Make flavored water a habit in such a way that when you stop, your body and brain will crave the kick of this rather than sugar. Stay healthy!

Abi is a curly hair expert who delved into the world of natural oils after severe hair loss issues. Through her research, study, and testing, she was able to regrow her bald spots & a healthy head of hair. She is the founder of Healthy Natural Hair Products & Ade Ori Hair Care, and the author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She continues to study hair science, Ayurveda, and natural and healthy solutions for hair and skin. Learn more about our Editorial Guidelines…