Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Dr. Pepper

My name is Jenn, and I am addicted to Dr. Pepper...
This may sound a little extreme, but if you knew me - you would understand. I don't drink coffee, I really don't like water, and I don't care for many other sodas. So, I start my day with a Dr. Pepper and have many throughout the day (sometimes up to 7 or 8 if it's a really bad day). So, why is this a problem?
Well, besides the fact that I drink around 1,000 empty calories a day, it's full of corn syrup and other chemicals and I spend at least $50 a month on soda. This is ridiculous! It's also unhealthy. I have been drinking Dr. Pepper since I was 13, when vending machines were everywhere on my high school campus. I have attempted to quit several times - once in college which lasted about a month, once in my mid twenties for the candida diet which lasted about 2 months, and once when I went to Europe for a month where it just wasn't available but there was plenty of wine. When I came home from India last year, my mother met me at the airport and had a Dr. Pepper and a glass of ice waiting for me in the car. I was so thankful!!
This is something that I really enjoy. When I have a had a hard day all I want to do is go home and pour myself a cold Dr. Pepper over ice. I know that the chemicals are unhealthy and it doesn't really fit my greener lifestyle but I want it! My sister was just diagnosed with breast cancer and I am looking more critically at the few chemicals that I do put in my body.
So here's my question - Is Dr. Pepper really that bad?

1 comment:

Darrin F. said...

You can't quit Dr. Pepper because those 1,000 calories a day constitute about 80% of your entire daily calorie consumption. (Don't question me....I've seen you eat. :) ) So essentially the starvation that would ensue by eliminating Dr. Pepper from your diet would kill you quicker than the chemicals contained in the soda. Can't say for sure since I'm not a doctor. However, I enjoy playing doctor so my opinion should count for something. :)