Photo credit: www.theguardian.com
I consume a significant amount of Pepsi Max, often finishing a slab of 30 cans in about a week, which translates to over four cans daily. This habitual intake raises concerns among my friends, who caution me about the risks associated with such consumption. “Those things will kill you,” they often warn.
However, it’s important to clarify that there is no conclusive evidence linking Pepsi Max—or similar beverages—to lethal health outcomes.
In 2023, artificially sweetened drinks, including Pepsi Max, stirred public concern after the World Health Organization classified aspartame, a key ingredient in these drinks, as a possible carcinogen. This placed it in the same category as substances like gasoline exhaust and lead.
This classification caused a wave of anxiety, raising questions about the safety of aspartame. Nevertheless, extensive research has yet to establish a definitive connection between aspartame and cancer. While drinking four cans a day is likely safe, it does prompt me to reconsider my obsession with Pepsi Max.
To tackle this habit, I set myself a challenge: abstain from Pepsi Max for 66 days, a figure derived from a 2009 study on habit formation by Phillippa Lally at University College London. While often cited as the average time to form a new habit, Lally emphasizes that this timeframe can vary significantly from person to person.
My goal, however, is not to cultivate a new habit but to disrupt an existing one. So, on September 24th, I clear my fridge of Pepsi Max and embark on my journey of abstinence.
I establish a few simple ground rules: I won’t consume any sugar-free sodas with artificial sweeteners. If I merely switch to Coke Zero, for example, I wouldn’t be making any beneficial changes. I also determine that while water feels uninspiring, I want to enjoy my drinks. Therefore, I allow myself to drink full-sugar sodas, beer, and wine, though in moderation.
Week one
There’s something uniquely satisfying about opening a can of Pepsi Max after a workout. Whether scientifically justified or not, it’s a deeply ingrained ritual for me, instilling a thirst-quenching feeling that water doesn’t quite match.
I quickly realize my craving for Pepsi Max within the first day post-commitment. By day three, the urge has intensified significantly.
To further complicate my challenge, my editor at Guardian Australia decides to book a photoshoot where I’m surrounded by and posed with countless cans of Pepsi Max. It’s an uncanny situation, likening my fondness for this drink to moments of nostalgia, reminiscent of key sporting victories.
During the shoot, I even find myself holding an empty can to my lips. Despite its cleanliness, the lingering scent brings back a flood of memories that leave me uneasy.
Week two
As I navigate my soda-free existence, I’m reminded of a quote from filmmaker Werner Herzog about the harshness of nature, which mirrors my struggle without Pepsi Max. The cravings are palpable.
Week two turns into an exercise in adaptation. I focus on ensuring my water bottle is always filled and accessible at my desk, also adding lemon juice for a hint of flavor. This adjustment is a substitution strategy that helps but doesn’t fully satisfy.
On day eight, I find myself on a flight from Sydney to Vancouver. The time zone adjustment makes the day feel elongated, complicating my journey having just started this challenge.
The real test arises when I’m in the heart of North America, a land replete with soda advertisements. Attending an ice hockey game in Vancouver, I’m confronted with Pepsi branding everywhere, making the temptation all the more palpable.
Week three
While visiting one of the largest malls globally, the scent of Pepsi Max wafts through the air, providing constant reminders of my former habit. Opting for a sugary tea instead complements my Dairy Queen experience.
As my week wraps up, I embark on a scenic driving adventure through the Canadian Rockies, traditionally a time for podcasts and sugary beverages. I fulfill one of those cravings, sticking to engaging audio rather than soda.
Staying in a mountain lodge near Jasper, I indulge in a “beaver tail,” a sweet and greasy treat, and find myself conflicted about how well it would pair with Pepsi Max.
Week four
By now, my morning routine has shifted to frequent coffee breaks at quaint cafes equipped with my laptop. As the afternoon rolls in, I feel it’s acceptable to enjoy a drink, even beer or wine. Nearly 30 days in, things begin to ease, but I recognize that I may be substituting Pepsi Max for other less optimal choices.
I come to a realization that boredom drives my Pepsi Max consumption. Spending most of my time at my desk leads to unhealthy snacking behavior during moments of writer’s block.
Weeks five and six
The next two weeks prove to be the most manageable yet as I discover two important insights:
1. Canned sparkling water serves as a suitable alternative, fulfilling the same tactile experience that Pepsi Max once provided without the associated guilt.
2. On a trip to Texas, where barbecue reigns supreme, it feels inappropriate to drink Pepsi Max during meals, prompting me to indulge in local craft beers instead.
Week seven
This week becomes pivotal for my transformation after a conversation with Evangeline Mantzioris, a nutritionist at the University of South Australia. Our discussion reshapes my perception of Pepsi Max.
Understanding that my attachment to this drink is interwoven with familial connections, memories, and personal rituals solidifies my resolve to reconsider my intake. Pepsi Max embodies various personal meanings for me—reward, comfort, and even a nostalgic link to my past.
Weeks eight and nine
The final two weeks of my experiment are punctuated by travel, providing numerous opportunities to enjoy cafes and maintain my writing.
At a Christmas market in Budapest, I realize the sheer prevalence of Pepsi advertising in our culture. This omnipresence is remarkable upon reflection, highlighting how ingrained these brands have become in daily life.
Despite the temptation, I feel clinically prepared to conclude my challenge. I’ve learned to substitute Pepsi Max with alternatives that deliver a similarly enjoyable experience and can appreciate water more effectively.
On the last day, I place two cans of Pepsi Max in the fridge as I reflect on my journey.
The end
Concluding this exploration, I reach out to Lally, the habit researcher, to glean insights from her work. It becomes clear that breaking or forming habits is a deeply personal endeavor, marked by individual variances.
Through these 66 days, I thoroughly examined my motivations for consuming Pepsi Max, leading to a more mindful approach. Simply declaring I wouldn’t have a can was not a viable solution.
On December 1st, after finishing a jog, I take my first sip of Pepsi Max in over two months, savoring the moment. “That’ll do,” I think to myself, recognizing the journey I’ve undertaken.
Source
www.theguardian.com