For the past few years, I’ve had a can of Diet Coke after dinner as my “dessert”. I like how it tastes. I enjoy the caffeine kick I get from it. It satisfies any craving for something sweet. I had no plans to quit drinking this, even though I’m aware that it is full of questionable chemicals, artificial flavors and ingredients that cannot be good for me.
But inflation, corporate greed and price gouging have changed my mind. Over the past year, I’ve seen the price for a twelve pack go from $3.99 to $8.99. There’s no way I’m paying nearly triple. Even when I catch the sale, the price is still double.
So I drank my last Diet Coke about two weeks ago.
A surprising thing happened.
- I’m sleeping better.
- I don’t wake up as often in the night.
- I don’t have to pee multiple times in the night.
- My stomach is never bloated.
- I never get acid reflux.
I am shocked.
I didn’t think my after dinner Diet Coke was causing me that many issues.
The other surprising thing is that I don’t miss it at all.
I imagine that if prices drop back down to something I consider realistic, I’ll pickup a 12-pack and will occasionally have another Diet Coke. I’m not swearing off or anything.
But the evidence is clear that my nightly dessert habit isn’t worth it. And not spending $9 for flavored carbonated water is like the icing on top.