Addiction comes in many forms, and sometimes it shows up in ways you don’t always expect. People talk openly about quitting smoking, alcohol, or caffeine. Yet, soda addiction sits in its own category.
It’s everywhere. It’s cheap. And for some people, it becomes part of their routine in a way that feels impossible to break.
As one flight attendant recently shared, it can go to some pretty intense, even costly, lengths.
Flight Attendant Makes Money Turning Down Diet Coke Requests
TikTok creator Savannah (@savannah0191) posted a storytime that got over 276,900 views, explaining how one first-class passenger approached her before takeoff.
“This lady walks on board, and she looks down at my wings. And she said, ‘Savannah, … I need you to do me a massive favor,’” Savannah recalls.
Savannah thought it would be something simple. Instead, the woman told her, “I’m addicted to Diet Coke, and I’m going to ask you for some, and I need you to tell me ‘no.’” She doubled down and asked Savannah to deny her every single time she tried, even if she insisted, even if she begged.
“I said, are you sure you want me to tell you ‘no’ every time?” Savannah says. “She said, ‘Absolutely.’”
Then the woman raised the stakes. She would pay Savannah five dollars every time she asked for a Diet Coke, and Savannah refused.
The plan came from her therapist, who wanted her to connect the craving with a negative outcome instead of a reward. “It sends a signal to my brain I’m not getting any benefit from spending money,” the woman explained.
Savannah agreed. “Don’t ask me for none, because I’m not giving you any,” she warned her.
But the woman still asked seven times.
“Girl, stop asking me,” Savannah says. “I promise you, I’m so stubborn that I will tell you no every time.”
By the end of the flight, Savannah walked away with $35. “So y’all wanna go get dinner, and a Diet Coke?” she joked.
Can You Actually Get Addicted to Soda?
It’s more common than people think. Because soda contains sugar or artificial sweeteners, sodium, and caffeine, the body can start to rely on it the same way it does with other habit-forming substances, according to Healthline.
People who develop a dependence often describe a specific pattern: cravings that feel impossible to ignore, thinking about soda constantly, and feeling like water or other drinks never hit the same way.
Over time, this can cause real health issues. Soda’s acidity can wear down enamel, increase the risk of cavities, and weaken teeth. It can also contribute to weight gain, blood sugar issues, and, in the case of diet sodas, metabolic confusion that affects how the body responds to insulin.
The good news is that quitting helps almost immediately. People often report better sleep, fewer cravings, more stable energy, and less bloating after cutting back.
How Do People Break A Soda Habit?
There’s no one way to quit, but most experts agree it usually starts with replacing the craving rather than fighting it head-on.
Some people switch to water first and let their body adjust. Others lean on sparkling water to keep the fizz without the sugar. If caffeine is the issue, coffee or tea can fill the gap without triggering the same compulsion.
Slow tapering works for people who like structure, but going cold turkey works for people who prefer ripping the bandage off. The key is consistency, because once the physical craving stops, the routine usually fades with it.
Commenters Share Their Thoughts
In the comments, people went back and forth between laughing and relating a little too much.
“Seven times!? How long was this flight?” one viewer wrote.
“You helped her through a rough period. Well done, friend!” another added.
Others felt deeply seen. “As a former Diet Coke aholic, it is so hard to give it up!!”
@savannah0191 thankful for her therapist
Some questioned the logistics. One said, “I’m trying to imagine how one even gets the attention of a flight attendant 7 times in one flight!”
One user added their own story. “I know exactly how she feels. I’m addicted to Diet Dr. Pepper and when I was flying home the flight attendant said we ran out… I didn’t want the sodas with sugar,” they wrote. “Thankfully she found the last Coke Zero.”
BroBible has reached out to Savannah via TikTok messages, as well as Coca-Cola and Delta via email, for comment.