Have you ever thought about how much soda you drink in a week? Maybe it’s one can a day, or maybe it’s several. For many people, soda is a daily habit—something to grab at lunch, during a break, or while watching TV. It feels refreshing in the moment, but here’s the truth: soda isn’t doing your body any favors.
On the other hand, water is the simplest, healthiest, and most affordable drink there is. Making the switch from soda to water might seem small, but it can have a big impact on your health, energy, and even your mood.
In this post, we’ll talk about why soda is so harmful, why water is so good, and how you can make the switch without feeling deprived.
—
Why Soda Is So Bad for You
Soda has been around for a long time, and it’s marketed as something fun, bubbly, and satisfying. But what’s really inside that can or bottle?
1. Sugar Overload
A regular can of soda has around 39 grams of sugar—that’s almost 10 teaspoons! Drinking that much sugar in liquid form causes your blood sugar to spike, followed by a crash. Over time, all that sugar adds up, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
2. Empty Calories
Soda gives you calories but no nutrition. Unlike fruit, vegetables, or whole grains, soda has nothing your body can actually use to grow stronger or healthier. You’re left feeling unsatisfied and often still craving more food.
3. Dental Damage
The sugar and acidity in soda are a double hit for your teeth. They weaken enamel, cause cavities, and can lead to expensive dental problems down the road.
4. Hidden Health Risks
Studies have linked regular soda consumption to heart disease, fatty liver disease, and even certain cancers. It’s not just about weight—it’s about your long-term health.
And don’t think diet soda is the answer. Artificial sweeteners may be lower in calories, but they can still confuse your body, affect your metabolism, and keep you craving sweets.
—
Why Water Is So Good for You
Now let’s look at the flip side—what happens when you drink water instead of soda.
1. Hydration at Its Best
Water is what your body truly needs. Every cell depends on it. When you’re hydrated, your energy levels stay steady, your skin looks healthier, and your brain functions more clearly.
2. Supports Weight Loss
Water has zero calories. If you replace just one can of soda a day with water, you could cut out over 50,000 calories in a year—that’s about 15 pounds of weight without doing anything else.
3. Good for Digestion
Water helps your body break down food, absorb nutrients, and keep things moving smoothly. Soda, with its carbonation and sugar, often makes bloating and indigestion worse.
4. Saves Money
Bottled soda adds up fast. Even better, if you use a reusable water bottle and drink tap or filtered water, you’ll save hundreds of dollars a year.
5. Boosts Mood and Focus
Dehydration makes you feel sluggish and irritable. Staying hydrated improves your mood and helps you think more clearly.
—
How to Make the Switch from Soda to Water
Quitting soda cold turkey works for some people, but for most, a gradual approach is easier and more sustainable. Here are a few steps to help you get started:
1. Start Small
If you drink three sodas a day, cut back to two and replace one with water. Once that feels normal, replace another until soda is no longer your go-to.
2. Add Flavor to Your Water
If plain water feels boring, dress it up. Add lemon, lime, cucumber, berries, or even a splash of 100% fruit juice. Herbal teas (unsweetened) are another great option.
3. Use a Fun Water Bottle
Having a reusable bottle you enjoy using makes it easier to sip throughout the day. Try one with time markers to remind you to drink.
4. Pair It with a Routine
Make water the first thing you drink in the morning. Have a glass before each meal. These small habits add up.
5. Notice How You Feel
Pay attention to the changes in your body. You may notice fewer cravings, more energy, and better sleep. These benefits will keep you motivated.
—
The Big Picture: One Change at a Time
You don’t need to overhaul your entire lifestyle overnight. Something as simple as choosing water over soda can ripple into every area of your life. You’ll save money, protect your teeth, feel more energized, and lower your risk of serious health problems.
Remember, wellness doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about making better choices, one step at a time. Today, that step might be filling up your water bottle instead of grabbing a soda.
So the next time you’re thirsty, ask yourself: Do I want a quick sugar rush, or do I want to feel genuinely refreshed? Your body will thank you for choosing water.
—
Final Thoughts
Soda may be tempting, but water is what your body craves. Making the switch doesn’t just help you lose weight—it helps you feel healthier, clearer, and more alive. Every sip of water is a step toward a stronger, better you.
If you’ve been thinking about cutting back on soda, start today. Even one less can makes a difference. You don’t have to be perfect—you just have to start.
So raise a glass of water. To your health, your energy, and your future.
Tag: Ditch and Switch
🚨Wellness Reminder🚨
🌟 Are you sipping soda more often than water? 🥤
💧 Let’s talk about how that can impact your hydration levels.
🚫 While soda might seem like a refreshing choice, it can actually lead to dehydration.
Here’s why:
1️⃣ High Sugar Content: Most sodas are loaded with sugar, which can actually increase your body’s need for water to process it. When you consume sugary drinks, your body works overtime to balance out the sugar levels, which can leave you feeling parched.
2️⃣ Caffeine Effect: Many sodas contain caffeine, which is a diuretic. This means it can increase urine production, leading to fluid loss and ultimately dehydration. Remember, caffeine can be dehydrating, so it’s essential to balance your intake with water.
3️⃣ Empty Calories: Soda provides little to no nutritional value, leaving you feeling unsatisfied and potentially craving more unhealthy snacks. Opting for water or other hydrating beverages can keep you feeling full and energized without the added calories and dehydration risk.
🌊 Stay Hydrated, Stay Healthy: Remember to prioritize water as your main source of hydration throughout the day. Aim for at least 8 glasses (64 ounces) daily, or adjust based on your activity level and climate.
✨ Let’s make choices that support our well-being, starting with staying hydrated! Swap out that soda for a refreshing glass of water and feel the difference it makes in your energy levels and overall health. Your body will thank you! 💦
Click here to begin your healthy lifestyle.
“It’s freedom”
I am beyond excited to share my friend’s incredible journey with you.
It’s a story of courage, determination, and the power of making small changes for big impact.
For years, my friend found himself caught in the grip of soda addiction. It was his go-to comfort. Soda was his trusted companion through life’s ups and downs.
But deep down, he knew it wasn’t serving him well. He could feel the toll it was taking on his body and his spirit.
One day, he made a decision – a decision to reclaim control of his health and his life.
From that moment on, everything changed.
It hasn’t been easy. There have been moments of doubt, moments of temptation, moments when he wondered if he could really do it.
But through it all, he stayed strong. He drew strength and inspiration from his support system.
Now he stands on the other side of his journey – a journey towards greater health, vitality, and freedom.
He feels more alive than ever before.
He’s experiencing a newfound energy and a deep sense of pride in what he’s accomplished.
My friend’s journey is a reminder to all of us that change is possible. It starts with a single step, a single decision to do things differently.
So cheers to my friend, and to all of you who are on your own journey towards wellness. You are capable of more than you know.
You are worthy of a life filled with health, happiness, and abundance.
And you are never alone – I’m here to walk this path with you, every step of the way.
https://suzannehorrockswellness.podia.com/
Nose to the grindstone
Are you ready for spring? It’s snowing here today. I’m ready to get out of the house and onto some hiking trails, or at least some walking paths.
But, my nose is to the grindstone. Writing a blog post is one of my Wednesday assignments. And today, I can’t think of a single thing to tell you. Do you ever have those days? Where you have an assignment, but the motivation just isn’t there?
The joys of entrepreneurship. (That’s a hard word to spell, btw.) Being an entrepreneur sure isn’t the easy way out. Of course, I could just give myself the label and never produce any work, but that serves zero purpose, imho. So here I go brain dumping on yall. Thank you for reading this!! I appreciate it more than you know.
Tomorrow is #NoPlasticThursday. My plastic consumption is down pretty far. I’ve been working at it for a while. My only obstacle is packaging. I was in a Whole Food Market a few days ago. I absolutely love looking at their pastries and baked goods. Hello fresh baked sourdough bread. Sliced. Yum. Anyway, I was looking for a baked chocolate dessert. Have you noticed that most of that stuff is packaged in single use plastic? And not just a thin bag. But a hard plastic container with an equally hard plastic lid. There’s more reasons to cook at home. Bake in this instance, I suppose. Anyway, the packaging become as important as the baked good. (It had to be chocolate. If it’s not chocolate, it’s not dessert in my house.) I finally settled on some bite size brownies. They were in a hard container, but, it is reusable. As a matter of fact, it’s in my fridge right now with some leftovers in it. Which leads me to ….
Warning – do not reheat your leftovers in the microwave in a plastic container! While a single instance of warming plastic in the microwave may not be harmful, repeating this practice is where the danger lies. Think heating your lunch five days a week. For more info about the dangers of heating your food in plastic, read this link. Manufacturers and retailers are in tune with demand, so you can find reusable glass containers in your local home good store. They usually come with plastic lids, but at least the bowl is glass.
In other news –
In other news – this is my new favorite drinking glass. It’s a quart mason jar. A quart!! I only need to drink four of these to get in one gallon of water. How cool is that? Discovering, or re-discovering, your favorite drinking container (glass or stainless steel preferably) is a fantastic way to get more water into your body. After all, water is the first medicine. In fact, most modern day medications suggest taking it with water. Not with soda, or coffee, or whatever. But take with water. It’s the first medicine. I would love to see your favorite water glass. Tell/show me in the comments. Or on social media by tagging me and using the hashtag #myfavoriteglass. Showing your stuff may inspire others to find their favorite glass and fill it up with the first medicine aka water. That’s a win for everyone, right?
One last thing before I go, here’s a reminder for ya.
+++++
I am a wellness guide. I help women heading towards retirement take better care of themselves so they can live a good long life.
+++++
Contact me if you want help in quitting a soda drinking habit, or if you would like to switch and ditch the chemical filled products with some natural essential oil based ones.
See ya on social media!! Thanks for reading this. I would love to read your comments.
Suzanne Horrocks 