When is too early for soda?

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:05:23 -0400

So this is more on the health and walfare side of things but might still be interesting. This morning I walked into work like any other day and as I made my way to my cube, I heard the sound of my cube neighbor cracking open a can of Mt Dew. Now, up to about 2 years ago, I used to drink a lot of Mt Dew, like 4 to 5 12oz bottles during an 8 hour shift; was good but I stopped that and now I haven't had any soda since.

So as we were waiting for our PCs to boot up, he and I were talking and I asked him as early does he start to drink his can of pop. We both agree that caffeine is caffeine but is 7:00am too early for your fuzzy sugar water fix?

Response by SGT William Howell made Jul 28 at 2015 11:07 AM

SGT William Howell — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:07:30 -0400

When you are sleeping it is too early.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jul 28 at 2015 11:08 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:08:03 -0400

It's never too early for a sugar fix!

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jul 28 at 2015 11:08 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:08:11 -0400

If he doesn't drink coffee or tea and feels he needs the caffeine, why not crack one open? I used to drink a lot of Mt Dew as well, I would drink a cup of coffee or two, then by 0800hrs started rolling into the Dew :)

Response by CN Terri S. made Jul 28 at 2015 11:09 AM

CN Terri S. — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:09:27 -0400

I stopped drinking sodas 5 years ago! That sht will eat the chrome off of a bumper.....LOL... but then again i do like a good whiskey or Fireball!......Seriously though, normally I stick to Green Tea or an organic tea.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 28 at 2015 11:12 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:12:52 -0400

Ever brush your teeth with Mountain Dew for that early morning caffeine fix? NEVER!

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 28 at 2015 11:15 AM

Maj Chris Nelson — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:15:26 -0400

So, I wake up in the morning, first stop is to drain the bladder. Second stop is to open the Mt. Dew, third stop is take the shower.

Response by CPL Brendan Hayes made Jul 28 at 2015 11:20 AM

CPL Brendan Hayes — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:20:32 -0400

It's not really any different than coffee for some. My wife adds flavored creamer to her coffee in the morning, and that stuff has almost as much sugar as Mt. Dew. I'm a pretty serious coffee junky, so I can't exactly cast any stones here.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jul 28 at 2015 11:22 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:22:33 -0400

I would say noon/lunch time would be the appropriate time for a soda.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 28 at 2015 11:26 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:26:03 -0400

Sugar is Sugar.

What's the difference between 250 calories (High Fructose Corn Syrup) of Soda and 250 calories of Orange Juice (Fructose)?

Caffeine is Caffeine.

As you said, coffee vs soda.

The issue is not the "time" but the Quantity.

Response by MSgt Alan H made Jul 28 at 2015 11:31 AM

MSgt Alan H — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:31:13 -0400

If you are under 75, it's too early!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 28 at 2015 11:48 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:48:56 -0400

It's never too early for Dew!

Response by SGT John Wesley made Jul 28 at 2015 11:52 AM

SGT John Wesley — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:52:53 -0400

Really? 7am? I cringe to think I used to be that guy! I would drink a Mt Dew on the way to work at 6am! Well, I've made some lifestyle changes and soda was #1 on the remove list. I've lost 30lbs in the last year! Mainly getting rid of sugars!

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 28 at 2015 12:06 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:06:05 -0400

You Mean Rum and Coke?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 12:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:16:44 -0400

https://youtu.be/adbb0nbUBh4

I don't drink soda, unless it has some whiskey in it. Even then it is less soda than whiskey :) Once you stray away from soda its easy not to drink it. I do have a craving for the monster rehab lemonade. I also buy a lot of 5 hr energy drinks. Caffiene is caffiene. I try to stay away from on high sugars. Is it to early? Who cares, next thing you know you will make it illegal to drink more than 12oz at a time ---- New York!!!!!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 12:18 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:18:06 -0400

http://www.reshareable.tv/25-practical-uses-coca-cola.html

Response by CPO Rob Daniel made Jul 28 at 2015 12:43 PM

CPO Rob Daniel — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:43:25 -0400

I had an old Chief tell me once that "Some people like their caffeine 'hot black & bitter', some like it 'hot blonde & sweet'. I like mine cold with bubbles."

Soda has more sugar (unless compared to my son who adds a bit of coffee to his cream and sugar), but if it's OK for other caffeinated drinks, soda works just as well.

Next we should ask when is it too late for coffee...
I worked with an ET1 who drank black coffee non-stop from wake up to knock off and more at home.
He always said it's free at work, and cheaper than soda at home.

I could argue with either persons logic.

Personally, I have one or two cups of coffee or tea in the morning, and depending on the day, I may have a soft drink during the day and again in the evening..

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 28 at 2015 12:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:49:15 -0400

I can't afford sodas. My wife is excellent at spending money.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made Jul 28 at 2015 12:58 PM

MSgt Manuel Diaz — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 12:58:56 -0400

Well since caffeine is caffeine and you need a wake me up, anytime you need that is good. Coffee too, but many people don't like caffeine without the sweetest sweetener and creamer creamer so much so that they must actually hate caffeine. Coffee by itself is good for you but an acquired taste, but the additives not so much. So remember a few cups of caffeine keeps the doctor away, the sugers and the creamers bring the diabetes when your body is wore out, processing it out, but that is your choice... this is America. Coffee tea or soda with sugar sugar sugar.... damn...are we out of sugar again!!!
Whose turn to get donuts cookies n cake this week we're out of sugar too.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jul 28 at 2015 1:15 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:15:21 -0400

I open a beer when I'm eat my fruit loops, so who am I to judge.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jul 28 at 2015 1:17 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 13:17:50 -0400

I have to admit.... I'm so addicted to both nicotine and caffeine that I dip 'Cope and drink Monster energy drinks 24 Hrs a day without effect..... forgive me Father for I have sinned...

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Jul 28 at 2015 3:50 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 15:50:26 -0400

I am not sure. Any ideas of when it's too early for a beer???

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Jul 28 at 2015 4:32 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:32:56 -0400

I have resorted to drinking "Crystal Light" in the liquid form. Simply squirt it in a bottle or glass of water add some ice and you have a nice refreshing drink with zero calories. It taste great as well!

Response by Sgt Jerami Ballard made Jul 28 at 2015 4:48 PM

Sgt Jerami Ballard — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:48:46 -0400

Before PT? Too early unless you're running a PFT/CFT.
After PT? Go hard or go home.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 28 at 2015 4:49 PM

LTC John Shaw — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 16:49:42 -0400

SGT Ben Keen When I have software releases that bridge days/go overnight, I tend to add a Diet Pepsi to my mix drinks. I limit to one a day and try not to do more than 3 a week or I will go right back to unlimited soda everyday.
Normally it is Coffee and Water (but not at the same time.)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 10:12 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 22:12:23 -0400

I personally will only drink soda with a meal or with alcohol. Otherwise, I don't like it. Since I drink coffee with breakfast, it would be lunchtime before I would consider a soda.

I used to have a co-worker that ate Little Debbie's and drank Coca-Cola's for breakfast at 0600 during our team meeting. The few teeth she did have remaining weren't in very good condition anyway, so I guess didn't see a problem with coating them in sugar first thing in the morning.

Response by SN Victoria Glover made Jul 28 at 2015 11:04 PM

SN Victoria Glover — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 23:04:31 -0400

Never too early! I used to start drinking them at 03:30 hrs. Although, I have gotten off them as of late. But now I drink coffee at 21:30 hrs until about 02:00 hrs. at work. Never too early or late for anything.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made Jul 29 at 2015 6:50 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 06:50:29 -0400

It's never to early to drink a soda IMO.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 7:00 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 07:00:05 -0400

My wife used to have a pepsi 1st thing every morning.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 29 at 2015 8:22 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 08:22:41 -0400

For me, any time is too early...but "to each his/her own". I swore off sodas when I realized each regular soda has ~8-10 packs of sugar in it. I never did like the taste of the various diet versions, so I didn't make that switch.

Response by SFC Dennis Yancy made Jul 29 at 2015 10:46 AM

SFC Dennis Yancy — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 10:46:19 -0400

Depends on situation. On active duty and no sleep for two days Mt Dew was great. ADA units were alway sleep deprived. After Army mornings were just to early. Tried to limit to one a day. Now drink no sodas.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Jul 29 at 2015 6:15 PM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 18:15:10 -0400

Hah just had a Rockstar vendor asking me how I like their product today... And told him I've never had it. Awkward...

I will say though when it comes to my caffeine, at 0400 each morning I am boiling my water and pushing coffee grinds through the French press.

1 liter of black coffee each morning seems to do it for me.

As for the sugary stuff... I looove Mountain Dew. And it goes even better with Taco Bell.

Most of the time I try to avoid sugar.. And carbs in general. But there is nothing like dropping $18 at a Taco Bell, guzzling down an large Mountain Dew, and going into a food coma once in a BLUE MOON.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 1 at 2015 12:57 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 00:57:34 -0400

As soon as I saw a video on what Mountain Dew does to a rat I swore to never drink it again! Look it up, I won't sicken you all with a description.

With that said, I don't drink pop anymore. Just coffee for this old Sailor!

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Aug 1 at 2015 8:23 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 08:23:24 -0400

I had to post again.... I've been up since 0430 hrs /PST and I've already had a monster and lips of 'Cope. I haven't even had breakfast... I've checked emails, read RP, and watched the news....

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Oct 12 at 2017 7:17 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 19:17:07 -0400

Like you said ; caffeine is caffeine.

When was in school we had a kid brought a mini cooler @ kept in his locker had a couple cans of diet pop.. he’d have one bed
For lunch and one after and he brushed his teeth after his lunch and 2d pop. Then diet pop had a % tage of caffiene.
That was his caffiene kick..

Response by SSgt Boyd Herrst made Sep 13 at 2018 8:09 PM

SSgt Boyd Herrst — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:09:12 -0400

I say if’s his biz.. I suppose the company’s health insurance might think they have stock in it too.. .. and one day you hear him hitting the floor from a coronary..

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 13 at 2018 8:56 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Sep 2018 20:56:37 -0400

When the one drinking thinks it is too early. Otherwise what business is it to anyone else?

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Aug 25 at 2023 5:42 PM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 17:42:44 -0400

Depends on one's age, and how often is it done per week IMO. I'm a caffeine addict, 100%; so the earlier in the morning I'm expected to function the more urgent the caffeine need.