Week 2: Breaking Up with Diet Soda (and Finding Something Better!)

Welcome back, friends! You made it through Week 1 of the Real Food for Busy Moms Challenge, and I couldn’t be prouder. Getting organized isn’t always glamorous, but you did it! Goodbye, pantry chaos and grocery lists that never end. You’ve laid the foundation for everything to come. Now that your kitchen is prepped and your confidence is growing, it’s time to tackle one of the sneakiest parts of modern eating — what’s in your cup. That’s right, this week we’re talking drinks — the sugary, the fizzy, and everything in between.

Confession time, friend. When I started my real food journey, I was hooked on Diet Coke. Like, really hooked. The “can’t start my day without it,” “need one to survive the afternoon slump,” and “don’t talk to me till I’ve had my Diet Coke” kind of hooked. I told myself it was fine — after all, it was diet, right? No sugar, no calories… no problem. Except, there was a problem.

If you’re nodding your head right now, I see you, Mama. This week’s challenge is all about taking a closer look at what we’re drinking — and making small, doable swaps that make a big difference for your health and your energy.

My Lightbulb Moment

One day, in the middle of juggling work, kids, and another drive-thru dinner, I realized I was surviving on caffeine and artificial sweeteners. My water bottle? Collecting dust. My energy? Nonexistent. My skin? Let’s just say it wasn’t glowing.

So, I started reading labels because that’s what Week 1 taught me, right? And wow — have you ever looked up what’s actually in diet soda? Spoiler alert: it’s basically a chemistry experiment in a can. Artificial sweeteners, colorings, preservatives, and that mysterious “natural flavor” that’s anything but natural.

That’s when I decided to make a change. Not all at once because let’s be real, busy moms don’t need one more thing to quit cold turkey and I definitely couldn’t handle the headaches. Instead, I did it slowly — one fizz at a time. I found that to be much more doable for me. I certainly wasn’t going to change years and years of bad habits all in one day.

Week 2 Challenge: Rethink Your Drinks

This week, your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to look at what’s in your cup. Are you sipping on soda all day? Sweet tea? Fancy coffee with more sugar than caffeine? No judgment here — just awareness.

Try swapping one drink a day for something better.

Here are some ideas that worked for me:

Infused Water: Add lemon, lime, cucumber, or berries — makes hydration feel like a treat.
Iced Herbal Tea: Brew it, chill it, and add a touch of honey if you need sweetness.
Sparkling Water Spritz: Mix sparkling water with a splash of 100% juice for that bubbly satisfaction.
Homemade Iced Coffee or Tea: Control what goes in it and skips the syrups and creamers full of mystery ingredients.

The goal? Feel good, stay hydrated, and prove to yourself that you don’t need the diet soda, regular soda, energy drinks, and fast-food iced coffee to survive the day. I know it is going to be really hard at first. Just keep reminding yourself…………”You are strong and powerful. You can do hard things.” I believe in you!

Real Talk for Busy Moms

Will you miss it at first? Probably.

Will you accidentally grab one out of habit? Definitely possible.

Will you survive? 100%.

You might even find that your energy evens out, your cravings lessen, and — bonus — your grocery bill drops a little too.

And let’s be honest — there’s something empowering about breaking up with a habit that doesn’t serve you anymore. You’re not giving something up… you’re trading it for something better. When I first started my real food journey, I decided that I didn’t want to be “addicted” to anything. I had to break the spell that my Diet Cokes had over me. I know it sounds crazy, but they really were controlling my mood and oftentimes my behavior.

This Week’s Mini Wins:

you swapped a soda for water (even once!) — that’s a win.
You read a label and made a conscious choice — another win.
You’re paying attention to how you feel — that’s progress.

Small steps = real change. And just like that, you’re building momentum for Week 3.

Your Turn

Tell me in the comments — what’s your go-to drink right now, and what swap are you going to try this week? Let’s cheer each other on!

What’s Next?

You’re doing amazing, Mom! Whether you’ve already kicked your soda habit or you’re just thinking about cracking open one less can today — that’s progress. Remember, every real food (and real drink!) change starts small. You’re retraining your taste buds, your habits, and maybe even your grocery cart.

And guess what? You don’t have to do it alone. Mid-week, I’ll be popping back in with some Real Drink Makeovers — fun, easy swaps that helped me break up with my Diet Coke and actually enjoy what’s in my cup. Stay tuned, keep sipping smart, and celebrate your wins… one real sip at a time.

If you have any questions or progress you want to share with our readers during the week, go ahead and drop a note in the comments below or you can come over to our Juggling Real Food and Life Community group over on Facebook.

Don’t miss out on easy real food recipes, family-friendly tips, and little reminders to slow down and celebrate the everyday. Sign up for the Juggling Real Food and Real Life newsletter and get inspiration delivered right to your inbox. If you want to try a challenge week, you can get started here.

And because life is more fun when we share it—come join the conversation on Facebook, get behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram, and find endless meal ideas and family celebrations on Pinterest.