Diet Cola

Surprise. This is a nod to real life. Some people just feel they can’t get by with a daily soda or two. But I’m OK with a diet cola or two in the mornings if that is your caffeine drink of choice. A few provisos: The soda replaces coffee to avoid overdoing it with mood-boosting caffeine. Skip regular sodas, which typically contain up to 10 teaspoons of mood-killing white sugar. Break your afternoon and evening soda habits. Try a week without soft drinks to discover just how much better you will feel. Substitute with water or green tea for post-noon sodas. If you are a carbonated drink fan, then try easing into the new pattern by pouring yourself a sparkling water over ice with a splash of your favorite fruit juice.