Please do not be sorry to me. I am so happy that you started this thread, because it has helped me so much. I felt bad that I had caffeine on Sunday after saying we should start immediately. Sometimes it takes a few times before we stop a habit.
I have the same concern about replacing caffeine for desserts or sugary drinks. For now, I am content just to get off caffeine. But I will need to do something about sugar too (soon). I love your idea of using a deep breathing exercise. Focusing on my breath helps me so much. When I am centered and grounded, I naturally eat healthier. I will try deep breathing too when I am craving soda.
One cool thing is that soda does not taste very good to me anymore (after just 3 days off). I had caffeine-free Pepsi last night and it was not good enough to finish. I dumped it out. (I am sure that I will still crave it when I go out to eat!)