After I wrote a post saying I was giving up soda and a friend who reads my blog caught me with a soda in hand, I said I would never write a post like that again! So, this post isn’t quite like that one in that I’m not saying I’m giving it up forever and I’m not without purpose this time, but I am doing without soda for a time and here’s why…
1. I was reading through Large Family Logistics and even though I’ve heard it a hundred times, something about Kim saying how much better she felt after giving up soda made me think perhaps I should work toward that because…
2. I’ve noticed how tired I am and how I use soda to combat that. I also know that the soda is robbing me of the vitamins and minerals that I need in order to stop feeling tired!
3. My husband is an inspiration! He hasn’t had a single drop of soda in 20 years…yes, TWENTY years!
4. I don’t drink enough water. I never have. But, I need to. I always figured since I wasn’t thirsty I didn’t need it. I was wrong.
5. I’ve given myself a goal. No soda until November 1.
6. I’ve given myself an incentive. For every soda I dearly want and I do without, I am putting aside $2 to donate somewhere (I haven’t decided where yet). I’ve already racked up $10! I’m curious to see how much money I was spending on soda…and frankly, a little scared!
So, this is sort of an experiment. I want to see how much I was spending. I want to see how much better I feel. I’m even curious to see if I might happen to drop some of these stubborn pounds simply by giving up my soda habit…
until November 1, that is.
And who knows, perhaps someday I’ll be able to say,
“Kids, your dad hasn’t had a soda in forty years and I haven’t had one in twenty.”
Danielle B says
You can do it Amy!!! I gave up soda (Pepsi specifically) 8 yrs ago. I know longer drink Pepsi and the like. The ONLY time I have a soft drink (sprite) is when we go out to eat at a chinese buffet other restaurants I’ll get a strawberry lemonade. For YEARS I drank ice tea.. some regular some diet, along w/water. Now I solely drink water, (unless at a Chinese buffet lol). But I can drink Sprite and be aok. I don’t want it later. I’m the same way w/pepsi. Right now, as I’m typing this out I h ave SIX cans of Pepsi in my fridge. (The Chinese delivery guys brings free soda when you order $10 or more of Chinese food.) Um yes, I LOVEEEEEEE Chinese food. (if you didn’t get that) And it doesn’t phase me it doesn’t make me want Pepsi they will sit in there until I have company who wants a Pepsi (and not water lol) or when my brother comes to visit.
But for now… all I drink is water! Never thought I’d see that day. Good luck Amy, YOU CAN DO IT! I went cold turkey. And had some withdraw symptoms. But it only last a few days. (It was June, I thought I had the flu!)
Amy says
Oh my, the flu?! Wow! It is mostly Pepsi & Dr. Pepper, but seriously any soda makes me just want more. And I know that isn’t healthy. Thanks for the vote of confidence! (and lol about the Chinese food!)
Danielle B says
Maybe flu the wrong word. Just nauseous, headachy, no fever, no chills. And for 3 days.. it’s tolerable. But that was me everyone is different.
Amy… if I can do it you can do it… I was drinking MORE than case of Pepsi a week when I went cold turkey.
And if that doesn’t get you… I lost 15 lbs in 2 weeks!
Amy says
Thank you so much!
Ginger says
My husband has been off soda for about a year. He has one now and then when it’s free, but it’s rare. Personally, I don’t like the taste of any sodas (we Texans call them all Cokes) and I really don’t like burping that much, but I still don’t drink enough water. I’m really working on that.
Amy says
I don’t know how people drink as much water as they do, b/c I’ve never really even liked the taste of it; however, in LFL Kim says not liking the taste suggests a deficiency of some sort. 🙁
Wendy Gunn says
If you’re dehydrated, which is very easy to be, you won’t be thirsty! When you start drinking enough water, your thirst will return. I shared this spiritual analogy with a friend Sunday: when we don’t read God’s Word and pray, we become spiritually dehydrated, and don’t care much for His Word. We have to “force” ourselves to read it a lot until our hunger and thirst for the things of God returns. (Reverse this analogy for yourself, Amy: Drink water even though you hate the taste of it for awhile! You’ll feel so much better and your thirst will return! I’m kind of a water evangelist! lol
Amy says
Hmmm….I did not know that! Thanks for the analogy! 🙂
sue mitchell says
Hi, Amy! You go, girl! I have been contemplating giving up my most delicious, yummy, wonderful treat that I drink every day – Diet Mountain Dew. I have one a day. I just don’t think I can do it!! I just posted a thread on momys about this as well. I think it’s great that you are realistic about your goals. I hope that you will update how you feel throughout this process.
Amy says
One thing that specifically bothers me is my belief that I CAN’T do without it…that just seems wrong. I’ll have to go check out that thread! 🙂
Wendy Gunn says
Diet pop has MSG in it, and it is an addictive substance. You have to go cold turkey and you may suffer some side affects for a short while, until you get it totally out of your system, but then you won’t crave it like you do now. (I have written a couple of posts on MSG and salicylates on my blog, with a lot of links to information on this topic–“PMS and MSG: When the Letters of your Life Don’t Spell Happiness”–you might want to check it out. Hope this helps:)
Wendy Gunn says
If weaning yourself off of it works for you, go for it! You can definitely do it, Amy! I’m praying for you! By the way, the link to those posts I spoke of in my previous comment is: http://www.wendygunn.net/2010/05/manage-it-monday-part-1-pms-and-msg-when-the-letters-in-your-life-dont-spell-happiness/
Melisssa Howard says
I am not sure when I gave it up but I haven’t had any soda but my Saturday (pizza or grilled burgers night depending on the season) pop for a very long time. It is worth it.
BTW they taste better when you don’t have them frequently.
Amy says
You don’t find having them once a week making you want them more? Hoping I will have that kind of self-control!
Melisssa Howard says
No I really don’t and it really becomes a treat.
Lauree says
Good for you Amy!!! I did it and if I can do it, anyone can. I was drinking around 6 diet cokes/diet root beers per day! I weaned myself off. I couldn’t keep them in the house and say okay I’ll just drink one per day. That did NOT work for me. I have been soda-free for a few months now! However, I will allow myself one every once in awhile if we go out or something like that. They don’t taste as good anymore so I never finish it. You will feel better for sure! No soda, increase in water – your body will thank you for it eventually! 🙂
Amy says
What an encouragement! Thanks!
Tituslady says
Giving up soda was one of the best decisions health wise I ever made! When my husband and I started our food journey to “organic natural” living soda was one of the first things we put on the chopping block! It was HARD! I’ve drank soda for as long as I can remember! I lost over 20 of the 70lbs I lost not drinking soda! I have had a “organic” like soda a couple of times in the last two years, but nothing to really worry about. I’ll pray you can continue not drinking soda =)!
Amy says
Thank you so much for the prayers! I’m really hoping losing weight will be a side benefit, but it’s the feeling better and healthier I am really looking forward to!
Tituslady says
Oh yea we had to wean off the soda to. Neither one of us could have done it cold turkey!
Head Ant says
I am a Coke addict–regular, not diet. I used to think it was just the caffeine and tried to switch to coffee. But I think it’s actually the sugar I’m addicted to.
Amy says
I think for me it is the sugar AND the sparkly. 😉
Lora says
I was hooked on regular soda for years both because of the sugar and the sparkly. I switched to seltzer water (flavored at first, then plain), which served as a nice bridge through the addiction (I’m telling you, I REALLY loved the sparkly). About a year after that switch, I largely stopped drinking seltzer. Now, I might have seltzer water a couple of times a month, but otherwise, I drink plain water. I’ve been off of soda for 8 years.
Amy says
I just cannot stand the taste of seltzer water…about turns my cheeks inside out! lol
Rebecca says
Me too!! Blech, and it makes me burp like crazy!
Kristin says
I have trouble losing weight period when I do it just to lose weight. There is a “40 days for Life” campaign starting in my area, so fasting from my food vices is part of my prayer and fasting for the unborn. I can lose weight when I offer it up for a higher purpose than just me fitting into a smaller size, although I have several health reasons to lose it too. Just wanted to share an idea that may help you or one of your readers while benefiting other souls too.
Amy says
Yes, I never do well losing weight when I just have some arbitrary weight goal out there. Thanks for the info!
Hannah says
Good for you! I’m working on the same thing right now. I was doing so good until dear Hubby (even though he knew I wasn’t drinking pop anymore) got me a 12 pack of cream soda for our anniversary. Not wanting to hurt his feelings, I drank a few (or more) cans. I threw the empty box away this morning so it’s back on the proverbial horse for me! It’s nice to know that you’re working on the same thing as me 🙂
Amy says
LOL – my dear mother-in-law sort of did the same thing. I know she reads my blog, so she probably won’t do it again (she’s so good about really listening to what I say here 🙂 ) Good for you throwing it away (and for not hurting his feelings!)
Mary says
You can do it! Bonus: If you do it long enough, it won’t taste that great anymore. I drink the occassional sprite if I am sick on my stomach. And if I’m really thirsty, I take a sip of my husband’s dr. pepper or sundrop (that he pretty much only has when we’re out and he orders his own drink, because I am a cheap skate and do not buy such things unless it’s a special occassion for him).
Renee says
Here is my tips for drinking more water, add lemon juice for flavour, carry a water bottle around (big enough for no need to refill) and drink with a straw.
We give up soda too, and feel much better, let us know of things goes for you, and good luck!
Amy says
I’ll let you know! I’m hoping to see huge healthy benefits for me and be able to benefit the Kingdom at the same time!
Millie says
Hi Amy!
I REALLY need to do this with Chocolate chips! I’ll take the challenge with you and not eat them until November 1st!… And then hopefully forever…
Emily Fay says
I haven’t given up soda forever, but don’t have it as much as I used to. It really does make a difference! 🙂 Good luck!!
Becca says
My husband and I gave up soda by making sure we have iced tea in water bottles ready to go in the fridge. Part of the allure of pop was just grabbing a can. Neither of us drinks just water very well, but mint iced tea works for both of us!
Amy says
I put a pitcher of water in the fridge, but having iced tea on hand like that is a great idea!
Tammy says
I did this for Lent this year. While I have gone back to the habit, I’ve been considering more and more giving it up for good. Mainly because I’ve seen how much less water I’m drinking. I know you can definitely do it until November 1st and would love to see if you decide to make it permanent after that. http://skipperclan.com/2011/04/25/kicking-the-can-a-diet-soda-story/
Amy says
I didn’t want to say never again, but I did feel like I needed to give it plenty of time to see what it would do health wise. I’ll keep everyone posted!
Cindy says
I wish everybody would stop drinking that stuff! I’m all for free choice, of course, and would never suggest that people shouldn’t be allowed to have whatever they like. However, if people just realized how much it is harming their bodies, they’d quit, I’m sure. I only drink pop when I visit my inlaws, because they don’t keep ice around for me to put in my water. ;0) Every now and then is ok, but that is a LOT of sugar. It’s more like eating candy than anything. What if you ate a handful of hard candy as often as you drink a pop? It’s the sugar equivalent, and yet somehow people think sugar that they drink isn’t the same as sugar that they eat! (I love my sweet tea, though. You can’t take that from me. ;0)) Diet stuff isn’t much better for you, either. I’ll bet you won’t even miss it if you make it a couple of weeks. Cheers!
Amy says
I don’t drink the diet because of all the bad stuff in there, but for some reason I didn’t have a problem downing all that sugar…until now! 😉
Mystie says
Hi! I saw your link to your post on G+ and I wanted to encourage you. I gave up Diet Pepsi last summer, and I never thought that would be possible. The main thing that helped was that I read that aspartame gives some people headaches, and I have always had trouble with headaches. So, I went without Diet Pepsi for a month or so and paid attention and voila — my afternoon headaches have, for the most part, vanished! I used to crave Pepsi even if I just saw a Pepsi truck. Now I associate it with headaches, so it’s no longer appealing. When I gave it up I told myself I could have regular, but it’s too sickly sweet for me, so I never have more than a couple sips, and now I don’t even want it at all.
It is possible! And I found that the diet Pepsi was making me crave junk food along with it. I accidentally had a sparkling water that had aspartame last week and I felt very weird in my tummy — it was familiar, but now I don’t know how I could have lived with it and not made the connection!
My tips for giving something up: associate it with a bad consequence & never let yourself think of it without tying it to that bad consequence. Also, don’t just cut it out, but replace it with something positive. Ice cold water with a straw and lemon juice worked for me, or iced tea (unsweetened) if I needed a little caffeine boost.
I hope this you succeed in your challenge!
Amy says
Thanks so much for the tips, Mystie! (and the encouragement!)
deb says
Thanks for this post! I so need to give up the soda. I actually ended up in the hospital a year ago with kidney failure attributed to my soda addiction and unhealthy eating habits. I stopped drinking the soda for a while but gradually started up again. If you don’t mind, I’m going to join you in this endeavor. Again, thanks for this encouraging post!
Amy says
Wow! Kidney failure is so serious. I never even thought about that about that aspect! Welcome aboard! 🙂
Meg says
Good for you, Amy. Even small steps forward are still steps. 😉
My husband and I went cold turkey on the soda, coffee, and caffeine in general 3 years ago… He had been working as a barrista in a tea shop, and was drinking a TON of caffeinated tea + sugar + powdered milk every swing shift (and then he’d bring some home for me. 😉 )
Little motivation: I dropped 15 lbs in 6 weeks; he lost 22 lbs. We were shocked. I didn’t think we drank that much sugar, but that was the only thing we changed. It’s pretty amazing. 🙂
We used kombucha to help stave off the cravings – and we still use that as a “replacement” for the fizzy cravings that hit every once in a while. Since kombucha can help you detox a little, it also helps flush the funky flu symptoms + drama that happens when you stop feeding your body junk. (I found out after my hubby gave up caffeine + sugar that he really was a nice guy after all. 😉 )
Amy says
That’s impressive!
Teresa says
We did this with our three oldest kids last year. They went for a year without and we gave them $100 each. What we found was even if they only had a soda twice a week, we saved a ton of money. Also none of the kids had any cavities the entire year. The dentist even commented on how much better the teeth looked and asked what we had changed. At the end of the year on Jan. 1 we bought root beer and ice cream and had root beer floots.
The kids saved the $100 and used the money to buy used laptops for school as well as give some to missionaries. We found we saved more than the $300 we gave out to them in the long run with not having to buy soda and saving at the dentist.
Only problem we had was at grandmas, she knew of the challenge, but forgot and sent them fishing with grandpa with a soda. They each came back thirsty, but with there cans full. Grandma sent water and juice the next time. Also I found that you have to be careful what you sub the soda with. A lot of jucies are not much better than the soda.
Amy says
We don’t drink juice, but I could see us going overboard w/ our homemade lemonade or my sweet cream coffee. 😉 (and yes, dear grandma…hoping she’s reading this!)
Missy says
Have you tried Izze’s? They are carbonated fruit juice and a great alternative to sodas. You can also try teas and floavored water. But make sure the flavored water does not have extra ingredients that are bad for you in them.
Amy says
Thanks for the suggestions!
Jessica says
And the best part about giving up soda is that you won’t want to go back. I haven’t had a dr.pepper in years and when I do randomly take a sip of one, it tastes so thick and syrup-like that I can’t handle it! I’m strictly water, iced tea and occasionally a sprite zero or sierra mist if we go to a restaurant, which is around once every 2 months or so. Now my morning coffee…that’s a whole different story…..lol!
Amy says
Yeah, I don’t think I’ll be giving up my coffee! lol
Jillian says
My soda addiction started gradually. At first we only had soda for birthdays or if we ordered pizza. I prided myself in not allowing soda to become a regular drink in our house. But then we noticed that the 2 liter soda would always go flat before we finished it. In an effort to save money, we started buying the individual cans from Costco. It actually was cheaper, but it also made it way too easy to just open up a can. Having the 2 liter would deter me from opening it just for me. A few months ago, I quit. But, sadly have returned to my bad habit. My husband doesn’t struggle with this, so it’s no problem for him to have it in the house. I don’t want to ask him to stop buying it for my sake, as I feel I should have more self control. But, at the same time, I obviously can’t seem to be near that stuff. To me, soda is just like a pregnancy test, it just calls out my name! : ) I’ll be praying for you! : )
Blessings,
Jill
Amy says
BAHAHAHA on the pregnancy test comment! Yes, I do agree we should practice self control, but we would never suggest an alcoholic hang out at a bar to “test” his self control. 😉
Gloria says
Yay for you Amy! I haven’t had a Pepsi in about 2 years. I have a real problem with their companie’s ethics :/. As for other sodas, I only buy one at a time (and only shop once a week 🙂 so that I can’t have more than one, and I save it for special dinners that woulg go particularly well, and put it in a coffee mug so that I don’t advertise it to the kids. I have been drinking homemade lemonade (so I control the raw sugar amount) instead and it seems to give me energy instead of sapping it. It also quells the soda craving a bit. I hope you find that you CAN live without it 😉
Suanna says
I’m a big water drinker. I do enjoy an occasional root beer or Dr. Pepper, though. I don’t usually buy them at the store, just if I’m eating out or for something extra special at home.
Sandpiper says
Something that might help you is to drink carbonated spring water instead. Although you can get it flavoured, my husband and I drink the plain kind. It has no sugar, but it has the bubbles, which I like.
SarahB says
You can do it!! I gave up CocaCola and all soda a few years ago and I am so glad that I did! I think it’s interesting that when you give a child who has never had soda a sip, they usually don’t like it, they say it burns their throat. It’s an acquired taste, and if you leave it alone long enough you won’t like it anymore. Trust me, I loved coke, drank it every day all day and now if I have sip it just about turns my stomach, it is sickeningly sweet!
Amy says
I cannot imagine NOT liking it, but you give me hope! 🙂
Christy dR says
You CAN do it! I have regular soda fasts and after this last one, I didn’t crave it like I used to! And yes…you do lose weight if you regularly drink it and if you don’t regularly drink it. I don’t buy it, it’s rarely in the house unless it’s left over or we plan on having pizza. Someone mention Izzies already but I want to second them. Many of them are 100% juice and it does satisfy that crave for carbonated drink. The first soda fast i did, I allowed myself 1 drink a week, I usually got something when we ate out, which at that time was a lot. I found it much easier to have a once a week treat since I never had it in the house. 🙂 Go for it!
Amy says
Thanks! I can’t do the “when we eat out” thing because I find myself also allowing myself to head to Sonic during Happy Hour and then it just snowballs from there. 🙁 I’ll have to check into Izzies!
Katy says
You can do it! We used to eat the typical American diet until we had an atypical son who couldn’t have gluten, casein, soy, most oils, corn, dyes, nuts, you see where this would lead. Now, when my husband and I are out doing things without the kids we stop by a fast food joint to grab something and it’s just so icky now. I used to really like that food and now the tastes and texture just ick me out. It doesn’t taste real anymore.
I think your donation idea sounds like a great one. It gives you a tangible goal. Way to go, you can do it!
Amy says
We quit eating much fast food a couple of years ago, so I totally understand the “ick” factor!
Danielle B says
See my vice IS fast food. Mainly um Chinese food lol. Must be all the MSG in it. I am proud to say I gave up Mcdonald’s back in May. FOUR months ago! If you all knew how many times I visited the one down the street you would know this is a HUGE thing! I joked w/a friend of mine. I said to her the one day is the mcd’s on such and such a street still in business? Yep, I joked thinking I was single-handedly keeping the mcd’s in business lol.
Now… how to get away from Arby’s and Chinese food. Arby’s I think I’m getting tired of so that can go off the list. But chinese food… yeah serious problem there. lol
Maureen says
Ok, I’m going to join you. My vice is regular Coke. I usually have 1 a day. I usually wean myself off when preggo and then when baby is around 3 mo. or so I’m so tired that I pick that bad habit up again. I have been trying to stop drinking Cokes for the last 2 months. I need to just do it. 🙂
Amy says
I drink them even when pregnant…NOT GOOD! Thanks for joining me, Maureen!
Kate @ Modern Alternative Mama says
I think others have mentioned it, but we drink kombucha. Haven’t had soda in a couple years. It’s probiotic so it’s healthy and so delicious, not a habit you would need to break. I love grape soda but it tastes fake and yucky to me now compared to grape kombucha. Love that stuff.
Amy says
Back when I tried to quit before I drank a lot of kombucha and it did help tremendously…need to get to brewing again!
Mandy says
I stopped drinking caffeine when pregnant with my first & have drank very little in the way of caffeine since then. I just gave birth to our fourth & have breastfed on demand with all of our kiddos. I feel great most of the time, even in this newborn stage…I give thanks to God & also believe that my body is taking care of me because I take care of it.
Amy says
What a blessing! 🙂
Lisa R says
My favorite fizzy substitute when I gave up Diet Pepsi was sparkling water (w/ no artificial sweetener) + a bit of 100% cranberry or pomegranate juice + a little bit of Stevia for sweetness. I was so encouraged by LFL and the documentary Fathead, that I removed almost all the refined carbs and sugar from my diet. I am SHOCKED at how much consistent energy I have, very little mood swings and so much more focus. I considered myself to be a very healthy, “clean” eater before this, so I wasn’t expecting such a drastic change in how I felt. When I get sugar cravings, which are almost gone now, I have raw or organic cheese, coconut milk or a Think Thin Bar and have wonderful energy. Thanks for spurring us on Amy, it isn’t just we who benefit from these healthy decisions, but out families too.
Amy says
Thanks for the encouragement, Lisa!
Amy says
This might change your mind about drinking soda, Pepsi Co. (and several other large food companies) use aborted babies in the development of taste enhancers for soda, and other products. A large church/wathdog group is asking people to boycott Pepsi Co. I thought I had the group info for the boycott, but can not find it right now. but I know you can google it. May God give you strength!!
Amy says
I had not heard that and I just went and did a search and I must say that is absolutely DISGUSTING! I am sickened by the thought. 🙁 Thank you for sharing.
Michelle says
I just looked up products owned by Pepsi and Izzi is one of them. We don’t drink soda but other items owned by Pepsi we do purchase. Not any more! Sick!
Rebecca says
Good Luck! I gave up soda and juice as part of a weight loss plan – it is AMAZING how many calories you can drink without really thinking about it. Adding a splash of lemon juice to water helps me drink more. If I do have a soda (maybe once a month?) for a “treat” I find I don’t like it as much – it tastes too sweet now. 🙂
Rebecca says
I admire you! Drink water with a straw, I think someone else said that but it does help. I hate water so I add some flavoring to it….Walmart makes the Great Value brands of different flavors and I add them some times. Sometimes if I put a peppermint in my mouth and then drink water it helps me get it down. I try to drink 6 bottles a day and I keep tea in the refrigerator too so I can reward myself. I do drink some diet pop though. Let us know how it goes!
Anita says
Amy, you so have to try water kefir!! It is a carbonated health drink, a probiotic! You make it with sugar, but the good bacteria (the probiotics) “eat” the sugar and turn it into bubbles. You can flavour it easily- we love adding mandarin peel (lovely subtle mandarin flavour), orange peel (fanta), vanilla essence (creaming soda), lemon juice, ginger (ginger beer), etc, etc. If you lived in Australia I’d send you some kefir grains! You can probably buy some easily off the internet though.
Holly says
Yes, she does, Anita!
Water Kefir is great, Amy. We like ours with a little grape juice, so it’s similar to grape soda, although less sweet.
I used to drink Cokes a LOT. Actually, they were Dr. Peppers(like Ginger up the line, I’m from TX) One day I really looked at the sugar content. Had a little freak out. Never looked back. That was years ago and I don’t even miss them.
I mean, TEN teaspoons of sugar? Really?
MontanaSherryC says
I gave up soda, totally on a whim, last December and feel great about it. I love being in charge of myself and not giving into the cravings. It’s a personal challenge and it leaves my teenage kids baffled–even more reason to do it. They cannot comprehend why I think it would be so cool to, like you, one day be able to say I haven’t had a soda in twenty years. Go for it!
sue mitchell says
Hi, Amy! Thought of you this afternoon after I did NOT have my Mountain Dew! WOW! I actually did it! And, interestingly, I felt physically better. I had more energy and I felt less dizzy (I’ve been having these funny dizzy spells in the afternoon). So, maybe I’ll keep it up!
Amy says
Oh wow, Sue! Yay! We can do this! 🙂
Tanya - Lilyofthevalley says
Good for you! 🙂 Soda is something I don’t drink a whole lot of. I enjoy water best. 🙂
Amy says
That’s good, Tanya…never get started on it! 😉
Rebecca says
How are you going with this?
My husband and I have recently made the decision to cut back on (we call them fizzies) because I too have been craving them. We’re trying to eat more whole foods and not the junk we have been eating, so now we either have water or fruit syrup that is diluted well with water so there is still some flavour.
I am looking forward to no longer craving it! It’ll be for special occassions only.
Amy says
I’m doing pretty good, actually! So far, I’ve racked up $22!
Charla Nira says
I don’t know if someone else posted this but I just found this on her blog http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/try-it-tuesday-water-kefir-kefir-soda/ kefir water says it has a very similar taste to soda. I don’t know. I gave up soda in high school when my Mom was diagnosed with Interstitial cystitis, in inflammation of the inner wall of her bladder and soda was something that had to go. It gets easier as it goes, because I don’t drink soda I don’t buy soda, so my husband only drinks soda when we are at other peoples houses and they only have water. Our Almost 4 year old does NOT like soda at ALL. If he gets a taste of it he sours his face and calls it yucky juice.