Daily Prompt: Happy Endings

Last Updated on September 6, 2023

“Tell us about something you’ve tried to quit. Did you go cold turkey, or for gradual change? Did it stick?” -The Daily Post

I went cold turkey the day I decided to give up soda in September of 2013.

When I started my college career at Rutgers, I noticed I would grab not one but two glasses of Mountain Dew every time I got lunch or dinner from the dining hall.

When I was growing up, my family always kept soda in the house. Sprite has been my favorite carbonated beverage since I was 5. Last summer, before starting school at Rutgers, I did some research on eating right because I wanted to maintain a healthy lifestyle in college and not gain the infamous “freshman 15” from the options that would surround me.

During my research, I came across articles discussing the dangerous brominated vegetable oil used in the production of Mountain Dew. Despite being aware of the dangers, I still drank Mountain Dew each time I was at the dining halls. They didn’t have Sprite. 🙁

It wasn’t long before I started feeling frustrated with myself. Why was I drinking something I KNEW was not good for me? Why was I even drinking so much soda? Some people don’t drink it at all!

That day, I decided to give up soda and go on a strict water/iced-tea diet.

I’m still on it to this day and I can honestly say soda was effortless to give up. Not even once have I found myself missing and/or craving it. Possibly one of the easiest adjustments I’ve ever made.