Saturday, January 10, 2009

Alternative to Soda


I have always been a big soda drinker, always diet coke with limes or lemons in it... but as I read more and more about the bad things soda contains, and how it can trigger hunger, I now only drink it when I go out to eat or go to someone's house. Not drinking soda has left a bit of a void in my life though! I don't eat many sweets, and Diet Coke was the one sweet thing I really indulged in. Drinking only water does get a bit boring, but I don't like to drink crystal light, or anything with too many sugar free chemicals.

My sister's friend - Kelly - loves to drink Cranberry juice with sparkling water rather than soda. Kris calls them Kelly-pops. The good thing is sparkling water has no calories, no sweeteners, and no sodium, it's just carbonated water. And it's much better to have a splash of real fruit juice than something with added sugar.

Recently my mother in law sent me a box of grapefruit from my grandparent-in-law's tree. Sometimes I get so jealous, how awesome would it be to have orange, lime and grapefruit trees in your back yard?!?! Anyway, I decided to juice some of them and add them to sparkling water, and it's so refreshing and delicious! A great alternative to the empty calories in soda, or the chemicals in diet soda!

11 comments:

  1. This is such a great idea! I've been keeping some Light Cran juice around lately that has no added sugar, etc. and is about half the calories/carbs/sugar of normal cranberry juice that I think would be just fantastic like this, maybe with a wedge of lemon and/or lime to go with it. I'm a Diet Pepsi girl so I know what you mean about wanting to cut it out but life being a bit boring without it.

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  2. Great job giving up the soda!
    I was such a Diet Coke addict!
    I would have almost 3/day! I finally gave it up last March, I swear, I felt like I was coming off drugs, it was such a hard addiction to break, but I am glad I did!

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  3. Great job giving up the soda!
    I was such a Diet Coke addict!
    I would have almost 3/day! I finally gave it up last March, I swear, I felt like I was coming off drugs, it was such a hard addiction to break, but I am glad I did!

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  4. Hmmm...I wonder if my diet coke drinking is what is currently inhibiting my weight loss....

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  5. The artifical sweeteners in diet pop are horrible. Once you quit drinking the stuff, you'll never go back. I tried to convince Ash to quit the diet pop (stick with coffee if you need the caffeine), and I think she'll notice a big difference.
    1. If you really need some pop, drink a baby Coke - only 100 calories - occassionally.
    2. Quit diet pop for a while, try it again and you'll HATE the taste. Now, all I taste is the chemicals.

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  6. The fruit juice and sparkling water sounds like a great substitute for sodas. I'm trying to cut back myself. I am completely addicted to diet coke and diet dr. pepper!

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  7. I can't stand diet soda, so I can't relate there and luckily my parents taught me one good thing as far as eating habits go: only have soda in moderation. I was allowed one small glass when we had pizza, which wasn't very often.

    I am a seltzer freak, so I love the idea of adding grapefruit, especially because I have a bunch at home right now. I think I know what I'll be drinking with dinner!

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  8. Mmmm, that sounds great with the grapefruit. I wish it wasn't so darn expensive up here in Canada right now :(

    I'm a Diet Pepsi fan, but I do feel much better when I don't drink it very often. I now save it for social occassions only and drink that instead of alcohol (for the most part).

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  9. I just came across your blog and I already am hooked! I have seen your cooking blog before, but never this one and I am so inspired! I am int he process of trying to lose about 75 pounds, so this is great. I just started a blog as well. Keep up the good work! Oh, and I love your reward outfit, I totally understand the white pants thing.

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  10. I really like the idea of cutting back diet coke, except for when you go out to eat or are at someone's house! I'm going to try looking at it that way, so while I'm not running down to the corner store for diet cokes, I still have something to look forward to at the coffee shop (I don't drink actual coffee :b)!

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  11. I gave up diet soda and saw a big difference also. I'm just weary about the juice spritzer b/c most juices have a good amount of calories, sugar, & sodium. It's definately a good change but not sure if you have seen any results yet. let me know!

    I've just started reading your blog today and your look AMAZING! Good job and keep up the fantastic work!

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