How to Detox From Aspartame and Other Artificial Sweeteners

Take a couple of cinnamon sticks or half a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon, a two inches piece of ginger, mint leaves (few), 1&1/2 glass of water and simmer on low heat. The mixture when reduces to almost half, leaving a cup sized serving, pour out the liquid only in a cup and have it to detoxify.

It will take some time to entirely detoxify but once you're at it, nothing remains impossible.

Best of luck!

If your having sleep problems try some 5HTP, GABA, or L-Theonine before retiring.

Switch over to regular sodas. Blasphemy, I know! But one thing I've noticed is that people who drink diet sodas can do so all day long, sometimes up to a 24-pack a day! Even those who drink a lot of regular soda don't drink that much. I know, my boyfriend is addicted to Dr. Pepper, and will drink as much as he wants, but it's never more than 4 cans a day (yikes, I know! ) The low or no calorie sodas do not diminish the cravings for sugar and actually can accentuate the "need" for sugar by tricking the body into thinking that it's getting some sugar by the sweet taste. When it doesn't get that sugar rush it was expecting, and had prepared for by releasing insulin, the body puts out the call for some real sugar so the insulin has something to do! Creates a viscious cycle of cravings without fulfillment. I've seen many people reduce their consumption of diet soda by switching to regular soda when their body's biofeedback kicks in.

At the same time, you don't want to get addicted to regular sodas, either! Soda companies like Dr. Pepper have put so much research into getting what they call the "bliss point" of drinking their product that you are pretty much guaranteed to become addicted. They have maximized the flavoring so that your taste buds are never bored and can drink as much as you can handle. What I suggest is to focus on more "natural" sodas. Look for brands that use real fruit juice as a flavoring or real cane sugar. They tend to be less sweet, but can still satisfy that sweet, carbonated craving that you might have. My favorite is a company that has two ZZ's in its name based out of Colorado, or another one from Seattle that only has about 50-60 calories per bottle, but they use real cane sugar to sweeten (they just use less of it! ). That company has "dry" in its name. (I'm trying to respect EC's no brand-name policy)

For more info on the "bliss point", check out this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/the-extraordinary-science-of-junk-food.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

You can then go one step further and make your own sodas by using tonic or sparkling soda water and adding any flavoring you want like cooled teas or fruit juices. If you're worried about calories, this might be your best choice. You can add stevia drops or xylitol to sweeten for a lower calorie hit without the other worries of diet soda. I still prefer to use "real" sugar, so I don't worry about those and just use whatever sweetener I like (honey, BS molasses, brown sugar syrup, agave, etc.)

If you decide you want to keep kicking your addiction down, try Kombucha tea. There are many brands out there with varying levels of sugar added for flavor. It's a fermented tea that has a very tangy flavor similar to vinegar but not quite. If you like the carbonation, this might quench your thirst. If you like it enough, you can make your own at home for pennies!

Another way to get that carbonation fizz is to make your own Vitamin C drink. Take ascorbic acid powder (pure vitamin C) and add baking soda in a 2-1 ratio, add some fruit juice or water and drink down. If you've ever had emergen-c, this is the cheaper alternative without all the weird stuff they put in that. There are lots of recommendations on this site about the power of buffered-C and how to make it. I agree with other poster's ideas about taking extra vitamins and minerals to address this, and this fizzy vitamin C drink is one way to do that.

Speaking of vitamins and minerals, in nature you will find that vitamins and minerals "piggy-back" on sugar on the ride into the body. Just look at molasses or fruit! Take a hint and try eating some fruit when that craving hits. You've probably heard that before, but see how it works for you. Heck, eat an apple WITH your diet soda and see how that feels. If it is going to be too hard to stick to a habit, then you won't stick to it. Find what works for you.

Tea time has been popular in many cultures for many years. Black tea, green tea, herbal teas; find one that you like. This can give you the caffeine fix that you've also been craving. Honey will add that sweetness that you're looking for as well. Try switching over. Some of the benefits of drinking tea also comes from the mindfulness of taking time out of your day to truly enjoy your tea and take a break, vs. gulping down a diet soda while you're rushing to finish something else.

Hope some of these ideas help to curb your diet soda habit. If you need more motivation to stop, search "diet soda" in the search bar and see all of the ailments associated with fake sugars. It's scary!