Put the Diet Coke down.

I put my hands up.

I LOVE DIET COKE.

Who doesn't? It gives you a quick energy boost, without the calories coming to bite your pert behind later. 

But, are diet fizzy drinks really all they've been hyped up to be? I actually work in marketing, but those damn advertisers still get me every time. It's amazing, once you look beyond the pretty colours, promises of 'low fat' or heathful sounding names, so many of these supposed 'healthy options' are anything but. Special K, I'm looking at you. Just because something has no calories, sugar or fat does not mean that it is a good, clean eat. 

I'm currently on a week off between jobs, and as a self confessed diet coke fiend, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to put the Diet Coke down. I was not expecting the withdrawal symptoms that I am currently experiencing. Think banging headache, queasy stomach and a general ratty attitude. If this is what not having Diet Coke does to you, then it is definitely time to come off the stuff once and for all.

Not only that, it is important to bear in mind that diet drinks do not make you skinny. In fact, often the opposite is true. 

I will, of course, keep you updated, but if any of you want to come off the diet drinks with me, here are some top tips to keep the diet drink withdrawal to a minimum:

• Start slow: If you are worried about the fatigue or headache that comes with stopping drinking your diet drink of choice, start by sorting out a schedule, slowly cutting it out so that the change is not too noticeable.  “Small diet tweaks are easier to adjust to, and they can turn this health goal into a permanent, lasting lifestyle change,” says Tom Kersting, Ph.D., author of Losing Weight When Diets Fail.
• Start your day with protein. Protein increases your body's ability to convert sugar into fuel, which helps reduce cravings, tiredness and other symptoms. Tuck into scrambled eggs and smoked salmon, or a couple of cheeky rashers of bacon to reduce that diet drink fog. 
• Give yourself a treat. Part of the reason giving up Diet Coke makes people miserable is because a daily treat has suddenly disappeared and nothing good has been added in its place. For the period that you are suffering your diet drink cravings, treat yourself to one of your favourite treats. And a little pat on the back for being so iron willed.
• Add an extra cup of tea or coffee. According to researchers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, substituting four ounces of coffee for every 12-ounce can or glass of Diet Coke that you cut out of your diet can prevent those nasty symptoms entirely. Even better, while Diet Coke does nothing whatsoever to improve your health, coffee is a nutrient-rich herb with a long track record of proven health benefits. Sip two or three cups of java daily, and researchers at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University say you’ll cut your risk of diabetes, depression, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease by 30 percent or more.
• Start drinking sparkling water. As well as the caffeine and aspartame, you will be missing the bubbling sensation that your diet drink gives you. For an extra kick, add your favourite fruit juice.
• Have an evening beverage. Having 125mls of wine, or a pint of beer can but your evening soda cravings by around 25%. Plus, for me it's the only thing that gets rid of that pesky headache.

I hope that helps you stick out your diet drink detox. Let me know how you do!