ROOKIE TIP #3:
Drink less soda pop, with the goal of stopping completely, unless you make your own! Whether it's “regular” or “diet”, both are terrible for you. The fake sweeteners full of chemicals in diet pops are no better than the heart-killer ingredient, high fructose corn syrup, found in non-diet pops. (Not to mention all the fake chemical additives and preservatives.) When people ask me which is better I say, “It depends, do you want heart disease or cancer?”
Even though 100% fruit juice sodas are still full of sugar, if you can instead switch to those (be sure and check the ingredient label for preservatives or fake colors or flavors), that would at least be a small improvement, as long as you're not drinking a lot of it. (The kind we drink is 100% juice with sparkling water so it tastes just like a pop and it has the fizz some people crave; my kids love them for a treat.) NOTE: I just added a comment below about “concentrated fruit juice” – please take a look and add your comment if you have more information. Thanks!
Now, I realize that for some, this is like asking me to give up my beloved chocolate. But I don't eat chocolate everyday! (Not lately anyway.) Or several times a day like some people drink pop. In past years when I used to want a pop (I don't even want it anymore), I often realized that it wasn't the pop I wanted so much, I was just plain thirsty. I'd get a big drink of water and be satisfied. Give it a try!
Lastly, at the very least, don't let your kids have pop regularly! I can't stress that enough! (Our kids have just milk or water most days. A pop, Izze or 100% juice box is only for special occasions.) Read more here about the dangers of kids drinking soda pop.
RELATED POSTS/LINKS:
- Rookie Tips #1 and #2 with an explanation about what a “Rookie Tip” is
Lori says
I was wondering if anyone has tried Zevia~it is a soda pop sweetened with stevia, and if so, what are opinions about it?
And what about kool-aid, or drink mix’s of this nature? Sweetened with organic sugar or stevia?
I have searched for an organic fruit flavored drink mix, but have not found one as of yet. Anyone have any ideas?
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
I’d love to hear if anyone has tried those, too.
Have you tried this kefir soda yet?
https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/09/how-to-make-homemade-kefir-soda-pop-why-make-kefir-soda-pop-and-how-does-it-taste.html
KitchenKop says
Meggan,
I just wish that in the conclusion of that article they didn’t recommend this plan (https://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/114/1/82?ijkey=ba2ca92423a712de97a4f1ca05db227331c3fac1&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha), which is full of advice like choosing low-fat milks, etc….
But yes, it’s good that they’re recognizing the dangers of sugars, even though most of us have known that for years, we just don’t *like* it! 🙂
Kelly
Meggan says
I thought you might find this new article from the AHA interesting…
https://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/reprint/120/11/1011
Not all on target, but certainly a step in recognizing the danger of sugars and bringing it to public attention!
Jeanmarie says
Just a note on Julie’s comment… it’s called a New York Egg Cream because the original recipe does contain eggs, not sure whether just the yolk or the whole thing. I’ve always wanted to try one. I read about them years ago and the fact that they went eggless during the period when people thought eggs were bad for you. Silly people!
Kelly says
Questions from my brother-in-law, Mike, about Izze’s and what their ingredients are, got me researching “fruit juice from concentrate.” I’ve just spent a big chunk of time looking into it and haven’t come up with much, but I know I’ve heard before that concentrate is not as good for you as fresh (which I believe you’d have to buy in the refrigerated case and it would expire in a few days), and this makes sense, as it would be more natural. The only thing I’ve found, though, is confirmation that any juice isn’t great for you, since it’s high in fructose (the type of sugar in fruit), and doesn’t have the fiber that normally is ingested with it when eating the whole fruit. I still think it’s at least better than the artificial and genetically modified high fructose corn syrup in pop, but maybe an even better alternative would be to blend whole fruits up as if you were making a smoothie, and add sparkling water to that, then you’d also still have the fiber with it. If anyone has more good information or ideas on this topic, please share!
Thanks,
Kelly
Kelly says
Julie,
I’m not sure about a fizz with my chocolate, but I may give it a try! I especially love your suggestion about juice & seltzer water – I’ll bet making our own Izze’s like this would be cheaper for sure!
Julie says
Hi Kelly,
In place of soda we enjoy plain seltzer water with a little bit of “pom” brand juice added. It is refreshing and the seltzer really gives the fizziness that people want.
Here’s another great treat, “A New York egg Cream” (no egg it though, have no idea why they call it this)
put some chocolate syrup in the bottom of a glass (about 1/2 inch) add plain seltzer stir, add some cream or half and half. Oh, what a treat. It is a good way to get in a little bit of chocolate and sweet but not feel too bad about it. The cream cuts the sugar surge a bit. What’s not to love?!