Alternative Soft Drink ?

[dtmpower]

In the past year I have got in a bad habit of drinking at least half, if not a full, litre of caffeinated drinks, normally Pepsi or Lucozade Orange.

I can manage a small espresso as an alternative in the morning but any more than that and Coffee gives my a stomach ache.

I am looking to cut down on the liquid calories, without causing too much withdrawal symptoms from the lack of caffeine (and sugar).

So I am looking for a long drink alternative to water, that will quench my thirst, break the boredom/drowsiness at work and without adding hundreds of liquid calories to my day.

Ideas ?

[randlemarcus]

Really cold water, or carbonated water. Don't go down the squash route.

[dtmpower]

randlemarcus said:

Really cold water, or carbonated water. Don't go down the squash route.

It's funny you say that. The only squash I can drink is diluted orange juice or Tesco high juice - all the others have sweeteners that also give me stomach ache.

[Hoofy]

Cut - down - not - out.

If you have a litre of Coke, have half a litre and drink water for the rest. See how you get on. Reduce it further until you've eliminated that st from your diet.

[dtmpower]

NeMiSiS said:

If you choose Lucozade Orange over Original then you are an alien, just saying.

Original uses some nasty E number for the toxic colour.

[Slink]

E numbers Smee Numbers, your not a kid who goes bouncing off the walls with suger and E numbers are you?

plus original tastes so much better when cold than orange.

[warp9]

We buy pure grape juice from Lidl at 90p a go and then dilute it with fizzy water. Note sure of the calorie and sugar content, but don't believe there are any additives - very nice. Also good to mix in mango or apple juice for a cocktail.

[V8covin]

Lidl are now selling a light cranberry juice which contains 70 calories per ltr compared to the standard version which is 460 calories and a tenth of the sugar and carb content too

[El Capitano]

I have started drinking lime and soda water. Almost calorie free and actually when cold tastes very good.

[BenM77]

NeMiSiS said:

If you choose Lucozade Orange over Original then you are an alien, just saying.

+1

My wife prefers orange to original. It is not an easy thing to understand but I have grown to accept it.

[Heartworm]

dtmpower said:

In the past year I have got in a bad habit of drinking at least half, if not a full, litre of caffeinated drinks, normally Pepsi or Lucozade Orange.

I can manage a small espresso as an alternative in the morning but any more than that and Coffee gives my a stomach ache.

I am looking to cut down on the liquid calories, without causing too much withdrawal symptoms from the lack of caffeine (and sugar).

So I am looking for a long drink alternative to water, that will quench my thirst, break the boredom/drowsiness at work and without adding hundreds of liquid calories to my day.

Ideas ?

What's wrong with squash?

[randlemarcus]

Heartworm said:

What's wrong with squash?

Coca_Cola_Kia_Ora said:

(As diluted): water, orange fruit from concentrate (2.5%), citric acid, acidity regulator (E331), flavourings, sweeteners (aspartame, sodium saccharin), stabilisers (E466, modified starch, E445), preservatives (E202, sodium metabisulphite, E211), antioxidant (ascorbic acid), colours (beta-carotene, E160e). Contains a source of phenylalanine.

YMMV, but I limit my children's intake to a couple of mug equivalents a day. Of reasonably healthy ones, preferably without too many numbers or aspartame.

[Hoofy]

It's still got sugar in it unless you go for the sugar-free variety which brings you back to cancer juice.

[ymwoods]

With regards to the Pepsi, how do you get on with Pespi max instead?

I have to be honest in that even when I was a kid drinking bottles of Dr Pepper by the pallet load I never really got sugar highs (or lows) so I don't really understand the addiction as such. (obv thats just me, I know loads of other people that disagree)

[Hoofy]

ymwoods said:

With regards to the Pepsi, how do you get on with Pespi max instead?

I have to be honest in that even when I was a kid drinking bottles of Dr Pepper by the pallet load I never really got sugar highs (or lows) so I don't really understand the addiction as such. (obv thats just me, I know loads of other people that disagree)

That's not the addiction. The addiction was you drinking bottles by the pallet load.

[randlemarcus]

Hoofy said:

It's still got sugar in it unless you go for the sugar-free variety which brings you back to cancer juice.

True, but everything in moderation.

[Hoofy]

randlemarcus said:

Hoofy said:

It's still got sugar in it unless you go for the sugar-free variety which brings you back to cancer juice.

True, but everything in moderation.

Well, your kids don't really need it so juice moderated completely out of their diet is best.

[ymwoods]

Hoofy said:

ymwoods said:

With regards to the Pepsi, how do you get on with Pespi max instead?

I have to be honest in that even when I was a kid drinking bottles of Dr Pepper by the pallet load I never really got sugar highs (or lows) so I don't really understand the addiction as such. (obv thats just me, I know loads of other people that disagree)

That's not the addiction. The addiction was you drinking bottles by the pallet load.

Haha, true, it was something I could take or leave though, never "needed" one just loved the taste and was pretty much all I drank other than water. (maybe pallet load was a bit much!)

[BenM77]

I hate artificial sweeteners.

We drink Ribena in my house. I fill a jug up and keep it in the fridge

[Liquid Tuna]

There's no solid evidence either way for artificial sweeteners. There's a lack of understanding about E numbers. There's far, far worse things for you and things you're exposed to in the street, office and just about everywhere else. As long as it's in moderation and not too much more than that, drink the diet soft drink.

Honestly, the amount of ste and scare mongering that proliferates on the internet about this stuff is beyond belief!