sweetened beverage and water

npoe1

Senior member
Jul 28, 2005
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I want to lose some weight and to accomplish that I?m planning in cutting out the soda which happen to be my favorite beverage. I don?t really like water but I would like to know if someone knows a good substitute for water. I know that some sacrifice needs to be done but eating without a sweetened beverage is kind of hard to swallow. Does someone have an idea?
 

apac

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2003
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Originally posted by: npoe1
I want to lose some weight and to accomplish that I?m planning in cutting out the soda which happen to be my favorite beverage. I don?t really like water but I would like to know if someone knows a good substitute for water. I know that some sacrifice needs to be done but eating without a sweetened beverage is kind of hard to swallow. Does someone have an idea?

Anything with sugar will impede your weight loss plan. Something with a sugar substitute like Crystal Light would work, but IMO those have their own health issues.
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
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I'm in the same boat as you. I love soda but I think kicking that by itself along with a strong workout regimen, I'll shed these unwanted 25 pounds over time. Water keeps me content but I drink a Gatorade Propel once in awhile for a little flavor.
 

paulxcook

Diamond Member
May 1, 2005
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I don't think there is a good substitute for water. I understand what you mean about having something other than water for meals, but maybe start out drinking just water with lunch, and drink water while you're at work? Grow to like it? Maybe get some nice bottled water that tastes better than tap water, or a Brita filter or something.
 

mjh

Platinum Member
Oct 10, 2005
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Originally posted by: TallBill
What's wrong with water? :confused:
Drinking a gallon per day is quite difficult since it doesn't taste like anything? :p

I don't recommend trying to jump on the Vitamin Water bandwagon, much like apac already stated. Simply trying your best to limit your soda intake is the only way to go IMO. If you're going to the gym or being active, I sometimes drink watered down Gatorade or Cytomax, just to drink something with flavor.
 

jiggahertz

Golden Member
Apr 7, 2005
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You can try adding lemon juice to your water if that helps. I will mix crystal light with water, about 1 part CL to 4 parts water if I have a craving for something sweet.
 

npoe1

Senior member
Jul 28, 2005
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Water doesn?t have a taste or at least in theory because it have a mild flavor. If I need to stick to something I guess that it will be water, but damn soda tastes like heaven. By the way I will give a try to water with lemon first.
 
Nov 7, 2000
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i dont understand how people can not like water!

if you cant give up soda, at least make it diet. the acids still aren't good for you but at least no calories

i like tea
 

onlyCOpunk

Platinum Member
May 25, 2003
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Get yourself a nice water bottle. I carry around a camelback water bottle with me everywhere. The nozzle makes it fun to drink out of, if that sounds lame. Plus if I'm doing work or something I can sit there and chew on the nozzle and drink water at the same time.

The little Crystal Light to go packets are also a good idea to use if you have the craving for something sweet to drink. Or Emergen-C packets as well. They offer a little flavor and a lot of vitamins. Another drink that I found good was I used to fill a Nalgene with Yerba Mate and carry that around. While it wasn't a sweet taste it as something other then water and it is still good for you.

Drinking heaps of water just takes some getting used to. You don't have to drink your whole dosage in one sitting as well, that's why a water bottle is a good thing to carry around.
 

Cyraxx

Senior member
Aug 15, 2007
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I absolutely LOVE unsweetened iced tea. Try there if you're looking for a good idea.
 

Slufa111

Senior member
Oct 13, 2002
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ouch, you hate water? what did it ever do to you?


I drink a little over a 1.5 gallons a day
 

onlyCOpunk

Platinum Member
May 25, 2003
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Or herbal tea, that's not caffeinated, and gives water a little flavor.

And skim milk also has sugar, it's added to make up for what it is missing.
 

Zorba

Lifer
Oct 22, 1999
15,613
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I used to drink at least a gallon and half (sometime a lot more) of Dr. Pepper and Coke everyday - and that is after I stopped buy pop for home, I would only drink it at work, school and eating. First summer I worked a desk job I gained 20 pounds and I swear off the pop. I found the more I drank water the better it tasted. I now drink 1.5 - 2.5 gallons of water everyday - I've now gone two years and 5 months without any caffeinated drink, most of the time was grad school too.

I used to drink a lot of sugar-free kool-aid and a bottle of Gatorade a week, but I've cut that way back now. As soon as I stopped drinking pop I noticed my energy level go way up, I slept better, woke up easier, required less sleep, didn't need to piss as much, etc.

BTW: Get yourself a big jug or bottle to keep water in, it is easier to drink a lot when you don't have to get a refill all the time.
 

marvdmartian

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2002
5,442
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Npoe1, suggest you try the different sugar free single bottle drink mixes in a bottle of good ol' H2O.....you'll get the hydration you NEED, with the flavor you WANT.

Propel is good, but pricey. My Walmart carries a product called Fulfill Fitness Water drink mixes, basically a generic of Propel, but a dollar cheaper per package (~$1.79, versus ~$2.79 for Propel). They only have a couple flavors that I've found, but they're both pretty tasty.

If you need something with a bit more of a "pick me up", you might try Morning Spark, also something I found at Walmart. They have some seriously different flavors (apple, orange, cranberry and ruby red grapefruit.....which I haven't had the courage to try yet!! :laugh: ), but they also pack a whallop of caffiene........more than a Red Bull, according to the page I linked! :shocked:

It also has 200% of your vitamin C daily requirement, and only 5 calories per packet. Unfortunately, the orange (the one I've tried, so far) is a bit on the bitter side......but a single packet of Altern sweetener (Walmart's generic for Splenda) makes it pretty tasty! :D

Bottom line, you need to keep hydrated, especially if you're working out and wanting to lost weight. The only real way to do that is to drink water.
 

ranmaniac

Golden Member
May 14, 2001
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I recently stopped drinking soda since last Friday, and started drinking about 2 liters of water per day. I expect to feel some withdrawal effects, however, the extra hydration has controlled my appetite.

So far I've lost about 3 pounds, which may be water weight, but I've kept it off since I stopped drinking soda, and cut down on sugar.


 

jiggahertz

Golden Member
Apr 7, 2005
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Originally posted by: onlyCOpunk
Or herbal tea, that's not caffeinated, and gives water a little flavor.

And skim milk also has sugar, it's added to make up for what it is missing.

Actually, skim milk contains as much sugar as whole milk.
 

mruffin75

Senior member
May 19, 2007
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Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
I go with Vitamin Water or skim milk when I'm not drinking water.

I remember my wife had a workshop at her school with a dietitian attending who said that Vitamin Water is nearly as bad as soda/snapple etc. and that the "vitamins" were nearly worthless.