Soda Replacement

oddjenn
oddjenn Posts: 4 Member
edited November 19 in Food and Nutrition
Ok, so I'd like to preface this by saying that I am a Midwestern girl whose father works at a Pepsi and Budweiser distribution center. Pepsi and Mountain Dew were consumed in scary large doses growing up.

I understand how awful that soda is.

Empty calories, tons of sugar.

However, I still like to have something sweet and bubbly every now and then. I usually go for a more "Natural" soda (like Dry brand's Lavender flavor) or a Sparkling Ice.

But are those bubbly, sweet waters any better for you than soda; besides Calorie wise? I try to drink mostly water and unsweetened Iced tea or coffee with a splash of milk. But the carbonation...it calls to me...

Thanks :)
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Replies

  • kincharles
    kincharles Posts: 20 Member
    flavored sparkling water does it for me when I want a soda (and very rarely a diet soda will make it into me). The water has no calories and, generally speaking, not enough sugar/sodium to be noted on the nutrition label. Local store chain has a line of sparkling water that tastes almost sweet enough to be like soda, but not nearly as empty calorie bomb.
  • iheartmakeup01
    iheartmakeup01 Posts: 35 Member
    Pierre flavored water, no added sodium or sugars. I like Coke Zero too
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    Kombucha, when stored in a sealed container, is supposed to be fizzy. 8 oz is 30 calories.
    Coffee, black, is 0 or maybe 1 calories per 8 oz.
    Some people use Mio to add zero calorie flavor to water.
    Of course, water is an outstanding substitute for sugar solution.
  • kavahni
    kavahni Posts: 313 Member
    Loving LaCroix, at least some of the flavors. Some are pretty gross.
  • littlebrittlifts
    littlebrittlifts Posts: 225 Member
    Could you not just do a diet? My ex would order diets/zeros whenever he got soda. He was pretty conscious of not drinking his calories.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,996 Member
    Diet Cherry Pepsi. My go to and I've been drinking it for over 25+ years.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
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  • RuNaRoUnDaFiEld
    RuNaRoUnDaFiEld Posts: 5,864 Member
    Diet sodas for me as well.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    Diet Coke/Diet Dr. Pepper for me.
  • oddjenn
    oddjenn Posts: 4 Member
    "The only argument someone may give you about those diet drinks that artificial sweeteners are really bad for your health. They are some of the most tested stuff when it comes to food/beverage products. They are safe. For one if they weren't we'd have a cancer epidemic on our hands already from diet soda similar to cancer sticks."

    I feel really ignorant not thinking of it like that before, because yes, for years I have been lead to believe that aspartame=the devil's sweetener.
  • aylamarcos
    aylamarcos Posts: 5 Member
    edited June 2017
    Many people don't like it but I absolutely love Zevia. About 5 different flavors, my favorite is Dr Zevia.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    oddjenn wrote: »
    "The only argument someone may give you about those diet drinks that artificial sweeteners are really bad for your health. They are some of the most tested stuff when it comes to food/beverage products. They are safe. For one if they weren't we'd have a cancer epidemic on our hands already from diet soda similar to cancer sticks."

    I feel really ignorant not thinking of it like that before, because yes, for years I have been lead to believe that aspartame=the devil's sweetener.

    A good read to get you started on the right path (written by a molecular biologist): http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1308408/why-aspartame-isnt-scary/p1
  • Rognvaldr
    Rognvaldr Posts: 22 Member
    Try Hintfizz. https://www.drinkhint.com

    Also, diet sodas are fine. Just look for the ones sweetened with splenda rather than aspertame.
  • Courtney42317
    Courtney42317 Posts: 1 Member
    Zevia soda and waters are amazing!
  • Hichiko
    Hichiko Posts: 97 Member
    Zevia is probably my favorite brand of no-calorie sodas. They take some getting used to, as far as the taste goes. I'm a huge fan of their strawberry soda, but I'll also still fall back on Diet Coke - it was my caffeine crutch for years, and it's always hard cutting it completely from my diet.
  • masaku_88
    masaku_88 Posts: 14 Member
    A diet soda once in a while wont kill you, but knocking back several every day is definitely not good for you. Moderation.
  • kavahni
    kavahni Posts: 313 Member
    Loved the flavor of the old Zevia but it had erythritol in it.
  • missh1967
    missh1967 Posts: 661 Member
    I rather enjoy diet sodas - usually 3-4 a week, depending. I also love cherry flavored carbonated water.
  • bringingsexyback2007
    bringingsexyback2007 Posts: 79 Member
    oddjenn wrote: »
    Ok, so I'd like to preface this by saying that I am a Midwestern girl whose father works at a Pepsi and Budweiser distribution center. Pepsi and Mountain Dew were consumed in scary large doses growing up.

    I understand how awful that soda is.

    Empty calories, tons of sugar.

    However, I still like to have something sweet and bubbly every now and then. I usually go for a more "Natural" soda (like Dry brand's Lavender flavor) or a Sparkling Ice.

    But are those bubbly, sweet waters any better for you than soda; besides Calorie wise? I try to drink mostly water and unsweetened Iced tea or coffee with a splash of milk. But the carbonation...it calls to me...

    Thanks :)

    My go to is also Sparkling Ice. I agree with A&W Diet Rootbeer below as well. I feel it taste the most like the original than any other diet. Coke Zero I feel taste better than regular Diet Coke as well.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    masaku_88 wrote: »
    A diet soda once in a while wont kill you, but knocking back several every day is definitely not good for you. Moderation.

    Unless you're drinking several gallons every day there's no significant negative impact.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »
    Diet soda. I love diet A&W root beer.

    Mmmmmm

    This is my go to. Creamy goodness.
  • BanksyTime
    BanksyTime Posts: 17 Member
    I cut out diet soda a few years ago. I've found that club soda is a great substitute. With a fresh lemon or lime, it's pretty tasty! :)
  • JenSD6
    JenSD6 Posts: 454 Member
    I use the SodaStream to make carbonated water, then add a shot of something like Mio to it when I'm not feeling like having a Coke Zero or Fresca but want bubbles.
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Fizzy water with no sweetener and occasionally a Coke Zero or other diet soda.
  • mohlera
    mohlera Posts: 1 Member
    The artificial sweeteners in diet pop will continue to make you crave other things. Also the clear soda is better for you than Carmel color. I believe that causes cancer. You can look this up on line. Diet Pepsi free for 12 years. I limit my self to 1 diet pop when I am sick or when we go out.
  • Golbat
    Golbat Posts: 276 Member
    I love the 5-calorie Minute Maid lemonade. It's only in cans. Delicious.
  • oceandaisies
    oceandaisies Posts: 47 Member
    Kombucha is fizzy and carbonated when you seal it in a bottle to flavor with fruit or juice during it's second ferment! I make my own, its delicious. You can also buy it at the store, GT brand kombucha is good. I love their grape flavor or ginger flavor. Pretty low sugar/calories, like 2-5g sugar and 30-35 cals per 8 oz.
    Diet A&W root beer is pretty good. I also like Fresca, Diet 7-up, and Cherry Coke Zero.
    I've tried the Zevia's, wasn't really a fan.
    There is a new Lemon Lemon 7-up drink. Has some sugar and stevia in it, 70 cals per can and don't remember sugar content. I like them too.
    I never drank diet anything before my husband was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago, I have to say it's taken a bit to get used to it. Like this whole last year. I stopped drinking regular pop/juice so we didn't have it in the house and to support him. Now I don't want to waste my calories on a drink unless its a Strongbow or other hard cider!
    I usually drink water plain or with lemon or ACV for flavor or tea with or without honey. I drink about 8 oz of kombucha a day every day (I make my own) and I drink maybe 2-4 diet drinks a week.
  • monicaeve113
    monicaeve113 Posts: 7 Member
    I too thought I loved sodas but it's actually the carbonation I crave. As a relplacement I got a Soda Stream. It carbonates water. If I want flavor I'll add some juice. Grape is my favorite. You can add other pre-packaged flavorings to it as well. With the juice in in control of how much I add, if any.

    If you're too busy to make it yourself, just drink club soda or sparking water plain and add some juice there too if you like.

    Kombucha is a great choice also! As well as water kefir. I make this at home and it's delicious!

    What ever you do, I'd stay away from artificial sweeteners. They are terribly unhealthy! Google it. Articles can be found everywhere.
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