A lot has been said on the negative effects of Coke (I mean Coca Cola, not the other coke) to the human body, like dissolving teeth and bones. It may also be the cause of obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, osteoporosis, nutritional deficiencies, heart disease, and many neurological disorders.
And how it can be used to remove rust, clean toilets, remove grease from clothes, how it does not have any nutritional value, just high sugar, high acidity, a lot of preservatives and color, and many more damaging things.
But I was addicted to Coke.
In college—each meal always had to have a Coke to go along with it.
At work—it was ice cold Coke, nothing less. In the office where I used to work (we were a spoiled lot back there), each wing of a floor had a waiter who would bring snacks in the morning and afternoon. He had to reserve a can of ice cold Coke for me, or else, he had to run back to the cafeteria to get me one.
In the hospital after each delivery—Coke, please, despite the pleadings of my family that it was not the right time to drink Coke.
In traveling—I did not drink water. It was all Coke Coke Coke. Fifteen years ago, when my office mates traveled, they carried bottled water in their suitcase. I carried bottles of Coke, in later years, cans and cans of Coke as I thought that bottled water in the countries I visited was not reliable. Bottled water was for brushing my teeth and washing my face. With the regular places we went to, our hosts would always have a bottle of ice cold Coke ready for me—while everyone drank tea or coffee, I had Coke.
It was just that Coke always gave me a high. There was something in Coke that had a special effect on me—the sugar perhaps, which upped my energy and enthusiasm.
Until slowly, I woke up to the grim reality that Coke and being overweight were not good for my health and well-being. Slowly, I had to give up Coke. It was difficult, but with sheer determination, I was able to overcome my addiction to Coke—until such time that the mere sight of an opened bottle of Coke on my desk gave me the same high of drinking it—there was no need for me to drink it. With a crash diet, believe you me, I lost 25 lbs in 6 weeks! Down from 140 lbs to 115 lbs! That was in 1999, nine years ago, and a different story.
Back again to Coke for another 3-4 years, especially when I was traveling. But in 2005 I shunned Coke. Yes, my affair with Coke was an on-off affair, until it ended in 2005. I discovered the wonders of tea one fine day in the tea plantations in Sri Lanka—another different story.
Until recently, Coke has again slowly been making my day. It has to be the regular Coke, not Light Coke, not Coke Zero. Coke gives me a high, even makes me forget certain things I want to forget. Coke gives me the “lift”.
Help!
Note: This also appeared in Dine-a-Bite, my food blog.
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22 responses so far ↓
kimmy // Oct 20, 2008 at 5:34 am
Good thing I never got “addicted” to Coke or any other soft drink for that matter. If Coke is your thing, mine then would be coffee.
Sexy Mom: thanks, Kimmy. as for me, i have never drank a cup of coffee in my whole life, not even a teaspoonful. coffee candy, yes, i have tried.
ganns // Oct 20, 2008 at 5:49 am
Tita Dine I was addicted to Coca-Cola for more than twenty years. Three cans a day, then switched to Diet Coke, then Coke Light, then Coke Zero. In between that, Pepsi Max, Pepsi Light, Diet Pepsi. Soda freak talaga.
When I gave up soda on June 4, I felt two weeks of immense lethargy, irritability, and general discomfort. After that, though, I’ve picked up a fitness program, drank tons of water, and have now lost over 20 lbs on my target goal of 80 lbs.
I cannot stress how evil soda is. It is addictive and damaging to your body in the long-term. I know there are too many happy moments to count with Coca-Cola – I have had many – but I cannot tell you how many more happy moments you stand to have as you live longer and better without it in your life. Maraming alternatives po jan, and nothing beats an ice-cold glass of water, not even Coke. Picture all that goodness cleansing your body, flushing out the toxins, it’s the best rush, really.
Go for it, Tita Dine! Give up the Coke!!
Sexy Mom: you are right Ganns—there were happy moments with Coca Cola. I have seen you from your original size down to many pounds less. Before it’s too late, before I get addicted again, I have to stop—abruptly? lol
Mauie Flores // Oct 20, 2008 at 7:16 am
Ay Tita, when you go to my house I’ll know what to serve na! LOL!
Everyday is also the same ordeal for me as I have to resist the urge to drink Coke because of my diabetes. It’s a big problem in my household because my husband is from The Coca-cola Company and we have an allowance to spend for buying Coke products!
Sexy Mom: hahaha, Mauie, I sure want to see you and your Mom. We had happy and unforgetable times together, you know. so, how do you manage?
chiara // Oct 20, 2008 at 10:39 am
sayang sobra. hahaha parang drugs ung coke sayo :))
Sexy Mom: Naku, Chiara, pag hindi talaga inistop, addicting nga!
Kyels // Oct 20, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I was never addicted to Coke or any other soft drinks. I don’t detest carbonated drinks pero I prefer water to such drinks.
Well, preference is a subjective matter after all.
Sexy Mom: lucky you, Kyels.
myepinoy // Oct 20, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Take fresh buko juice instead.
Sexy Mom: that’s what my mom buys for me everyday, myepinoy, but there were times really, when I had to take my magic potion, especially the past 3 weeks. let me see, i’ll finish off first my can of ice cold coke, sayang e.
Belle // Oct 20, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Dine, what about quit buying coke, and buy good quality green tea or flavored water instead. just like i buy fruits instead of cookies.
Sexy Mom: I love green tea, Belle, and cookies!
Ronald // Oct 20, 2008 at 5:02 pm
it’s because of the caffeine content of it. you will be addicted to it just like nicotine.
Sexy Mom: omg—nicotine?
jhay // Oct 20, 2008 at 6:19 pm
I never got addicted to Coke, but give me Sprite and I’ll go nuts. Well, that was two or three years ago. Ever since I had a mild case of UTI, I stopped drinking carbonated drinks.
Hopefully, it has given my kidneys some reprieve. Now on to getting rid of alcohol from my system.
Sexy Mom: now, Jhay, that will be more difficult!
amymd // Oct 20, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Maybe because of the caffeine in coke that gets you craving for it. Or you might be dehydrated because of limited water intake which makes you drink more and more coke.
Try drinking 2 liters of water in the morning upon waking up in order to hydrate yourself. yes, it’s 2 liters.
I hope this will help you.
Sexy Mom: oh my, Amy—2 liters! will that not drown me? anyway, kidding aside, thanks. am struggling, you know, but soon…i will be off the hook.
rhodora // Oct 21, 2008 at 12:27 am
I’m sorry I can’t help you, Dine. I’m a coke addict too. Sigh…
Sexy Mom: cheers to Coke, Rhoda!
dimaks // Oct 21, 2008 at 12:38 am
Japan is well populated with vending machines, even in the farming areas – if you ever get to visit here, you don’t have to order it.
as Jhay hinted, i have to control my acid intake due to my chronic hyper acidity.
Sexy Mom: good luck, dimaks! i know hyper acidity is oh, so, painful.
Gigi // Oct 21, 2008 at 9:48 am
What a coincidence that you wrote this post today. My husband and I were discussing that it’s okay to drink Coke once in a while and to drink water to “wash out” Coke from our teeth right after.
It’s a guilty pleasure we indulge on weekends. In our home, Coke is not a staple because it’s not very healthy… In my parent’s house my father and my brother would die if they don’t have Coke in the house!
Once in a while is okay though
Sexy Mom: oh, Gigi, sometimes it starts with that—the little pleasures, but soon it becomes part of the system, lol
Wil // Oct 21, 2008 at 11:43 am
Maybe there should be a Coca Cola Rehab center. hehe. You can do it, Ma’am Dine. Coke is just sugar with no nutritional value. Drink orange juice, pineapple, lemon or what-have-you. Fruit juices can be your substitute for Coke.
Sexy Mom: true, true, but who will finance it? Pepsi? yes, i guess fruit juices can be substitute, though i have to be careful, as most fruit juices here are loaded with sugar.
Ami // Oct 21, 2008 at 1:56 pm
Hi Mommy Dine,
Ako din addict jan pero I’m trying very hard to cut down. I often joke that Coke will be a major cause of my death if I don’t quit. Cancer sa tummy?? Probably.
Sexy Mom: not really cancer, that’s extremes. if i use that as a threat—i will stop coke any moment! thanks, Ami.
julie // Oct 21, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I know what you mean. Its regular Coke for me too but i am slowly weaning away from it though i am not exactly loving being away from a glass of ice cold Coke. huhuhu…
Sexy Mom: hu hu hu, too, Julie!
pining // Oct 22, 2008 at 9:24 pm
there must be something in coke that makes it addictive,especially in the hot weather when I crave for it the most.
you crave coke whilst I crave cake (and pastries)...
oh well, Lord help us!
Sexy Mom: oh, Lord, help us—i crave Coke and cake! now you remind me about cakes…
an2nette // Oct 23, 2008 at 1:47 am
Hi Ms. D, thanks pala for visiting and commenting on my blog, i’m also addicted to coke before but i stopped it because i got sick, i’ll send u sms pag jan na kami sa pinas, best regards. cool mom of germany
Sexy Mom: hi, Antonette. thanks. excited to meet up with you soon.
UltraVivid // Oct 26, 2008 at 11:51 am
Hello Dine,
I heart an ice-cold Coca-Cola, especially on a hot summer, but I’m not a Santa or Polar Bear (when it’s freezing cold, I prefer a hot cup of coffee or tea).
What I personally love most about Coca-Cola, is the brand’s universe and communication. Everyone knows of course the famous vintage Coca-Cola ads, but actually there’s a lot more to discover. Especially the artworks by “fresh” artists are very inspiring.
Keep up the good (& food) writing!
Sexy Mom: it’s like Coke has a universal appeal?
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