Healthy Alternatives to Soda
91No one really thought about the need for healthy alternatives to soda until we all became addicted to it in the 1970s. Prior to that Coke came in a 10 oz bottle, as I recall, that you could buy for 15 cents. It was a treat that was just that, a treat.
Fast forward to the 21st century and coke is the new water. (By the way, please understand I am from Texas. EVERY soda product is called coke here, even Pepsi, so keep that in mind.) It is not ingested by the ounce anymore by by the liter...and it is really bad for the body in those amounts.
But if you need your fizz, what are you going to do?
Monin Syrups
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How to Make Italian Soda
One of the favorites around here is Italian Sodas. We started making them when we owned a tea room, and once we got used to them were too spoiled to stop. Italian sodas are really easy to make and have far less sugar that the cokes that you buy. The syrups also come in sugar free versions. I do not think sugar free alternatives, other than stevia, are healthy so I do not recommend them but they are out there if you want.
The best way to serve an Italian soda is in a tall iced glass, with some whipped cream on the top. If you make your own whipped cream from organic cream, and watch your sugar, it isn't unhealthy unless you are having to watch your fat intake. The combinations are almost endles
Italian Soda: Basic Recipe
- 2 Tbs flavored syrup
- 8-12 oz club soda
Pour syrup into glass, add club soda and stir.
That is easy, isn't it? Now, when you need to add some luxury to that you want a Cremosa.
Cremosa:Basic Recipe
- 2 Tbs flavored syrup
- 8 oz club soda
- 4 oz half and half or cream
Stir together, or serve in layers. To serve in layers, pour the syrup in the glass. Add the club soda, then partially whip heavy cream and float it on top. It takes some practice but is a beautiful presentation.
Now that you have the basics down...Here are some of the best flavor combinations based on the Monin syrups which you can click on in the side bar for more information:
- Victorian-1 tbs vanilla, 1 tbs rose
- Creamsicle-1 tbs orange, 1 tbs vanilla
- Creme Brulee-1 tbs caramel, 1 tbs vanilla
- French Countryside- 1/2 tbs lavender, 1 1/2 tbs lemon
- Summer Afternoon-2 tsp blackberry, 2 tsp white chocolate, 2 tsp violet
- S'mores-1tbs toasted Marshmallow, 1/2 tbs Caramel, 1/2 tbs Chocolate
There are literally hundreds more combinations and ways of making them, and each of the recipes can be used for cremosas as well.
Now, healthy? Sure. Here is the breakdown:
Italian Soda
calories-90
sugars: 11 g
sodium 0
Coke
calories 110
sugar 30g
sodium:11
Plus, you have a natural, gourmet beverage that is exactly what you wanted without the chemicals. You can adjust the calories by using less syrup. There are no calories at all in club soda.
Make Soda with Stevia
Fruit Soda
Another healthy alternative to soda is a drink made with fruit juice and club soda. Like the Italian sodas, the possibilities are almost endless. Various combinations of organic fruit juices, or organic fruit juices and tea are given some fizz by mixing them with the club soda.
In this case, you will want to make your drink half club soda, half juice.
Juicy Sodas :
Orange-
- 4 oz orange juice
- 4 oz club soda
Citrus Blast-
- 1 oz orange
- 1/2 oz lemon
- 1/2 oz grapefruit
- 1/2 oz key lime
- 2 oz green tea
- 4 oz club soda
- a little sugar or honey if needed.
Sparkling Fruit Punch
- 4 oz organic mixed juice punch
- 4 oz club soda
Banana
- 1 banana liquified in the blender
- 4 oz club soda
- 1 tsp lemon juice
There are many combinations to choose from. Any organic, 100% fruit juice will be a great addition to your homemade beverage. Be sure to pour it into iced glasses because it is just so much better that way.
Something to Put It In
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Bell Shaped Coca-Cola Soda Fountain Glass with Red Letters
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12 Ice Cream Sundae Soda Fountain Plastic Cups Glasses
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COCA COLA SODA FOUNTAIN GLASSES AND ORIGINAL TIN BOX
Current Bid: $9.99
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Vintage Glass/Stainless Straw Dispenser Soda Fountain
Current Bid: $7.99
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VINTAGE-(4) SODA FOUNTAIN /ICE CREAM PARLOR PARFAIT GLASSES NO CHIPS OR CRACKS.
Current Bid: $15.29
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VINTAGE SET OF 6 SUNDAE SODA FOUNTAIN GLASSES - 6" TALL
Current Bid: $7.50
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Water
The best alternative to anything is water. Pure water is essential to the body and the more of it, within reason, the better.
Whether you drink it iced, with a slice of lime or lemon, or at room temperature be sure, no matter what else you are drinking, that you get all the water your body needs. Eight 8 oz. glasses is only the bare minimum.
And sadly, coffee does not count. Keep a large glass of water within reach and sip it often for the healthiest body ever.
CommentsLoading...
Awesome hub! You've got me hooked with the concept of flavored syrup and club soda - there's nothing stopping someone from using sugar-free flavored syrups to create a dreamy concoction of bubbly yumminess.
Thanks for answering my request, dearie! I'll be printing this one out. :D
I quit sodas last year and I miss them. I've tried Izze which is pretty good (sparkling water and juices).
I think I'll try some of the Italian sodas.the French Countryside sounds wonderful.
I always love Italian sodas, so thank yhou for sharing your recipes for them.
These are delicious - and fun to make!!! Our family also loves Knudsen spritzers which are 80-100% juice, but come in lots of yummy flavors for the person who loves variety... :o) Thanks for posting this!
The simple one that isn't on your list is club soda with a twist. Lemon, lime, sometimes both.
There's enough flavor to make it "not just soda water", and that does the job nicely for a lot of people.
Dave
These sound so very refreshing! I can't wait to try them!
Actually home made soda was gonna be my answer. I also noticed sparkling juices listed. Also something to be aware of, most coffee shop will be able to make you an italian soda. I prefer these sice coffee does strange things to me.
As an alternative for sodas for me, I make up a big old batch of tea, sweeten it to taste with organic cane sugar. I tend to go for the fruity black teas, like Paradise tea. Chill it over night, and drink it throughout the day. Check your local are for specialist tea shops also. You can get some awesome flavors. I just recently purchased a Peach Cream black tea. It is fantastic. With the loose teas you will need a strainer, but i know with the Paradise Tea you can use the larger tea bags in a coffee brewer.
One of the changes I've made in the last couple years is to stop drinking soda. I used to drink cola, then I wanted to get rid of the caffeine. I started drinking lemon lime. Then I wanted to get rid of the sugar, so I started drinking soda. Not only have I lost weight, I don't have the sugar crash I used to get. Thanks for the info, I'm so used to grabbing that lemon wedge and squeezing it into my soda, I need to try some Italian sodas.
Thanks for this great article. I'm sure we'll try a few before the summer is over.
French sodas are even better than Italian sodas. When I recently developed painful kidney stones, that was my only alternative at the local coffeehouse. My favorite is cinnamon/caramel...YUMMMMM!
Love the Hub - great recipes that I must try! I drink waaay too much soda (all of it diet, but nonetheless...)
I;ve been drinking Pepsi for 50 yr. about 6-12 oz cans a day at least.
Last year I tried to stop drinking it and switched to diet 7-up....I ended up in the ER due to a withdrawal from caffeine. So I'm back on the Pepsi...any ideas
Pete is an example of why we should stop drinking soda
Fantasic alternatives, I'm definitely going to try these out! Thanks for sharing!
These sound excellent!
I stopped drink fizzy drinks "Soda" for the reason that they are bad for you so i will have to check them out and hope that they taste nice and still have lots of fizz!!
What a great lens. I have been a long time user of stevia (I use it in my protein smoothies in the a.m.). I particularly liked the video with the suggestions regarding making soda without all the chemicals that are in diet soda.
Those drinks sound wonderful. I myself cut way back on the soda about a year and a half a ago. I feel heathier for doing so. I still drink a few during the day but I drink mostly water.
Most people do not realize the ill effects of drinking too much soda. For instance I have complex seizure disorder. Having more than 3 sodas a day can cause me to have more seizures.
Then there are the ones filled with sugar and the problems with high blood pressure and so on.
Have a glass of water!
Awesome! I don't buy soda, but I do love seltzer. I am weaning myself from the ones with splenda. I am making this over the weekend.
Over the past year I quit drinking soda as well, the carbonation does horrible things with my stomach.
If you are looking for more alternatives to soda, I'd suggest FRS Energy - I just wrote a hub on it.
Very informative and helpful hub, Marye. It is really scary the way sodas have become like water, especially for kids. In the Philippines, you can see children drinking coke from plastic bags (using a straw of course). I go for water or coconut water (we call it buko juice in the Philippines) or soda water with calamansi (a small citrus fruit quite popular in my country).
Good. I Like this.
Good hub, but water cannot be an alternative to anything it is basic and essential, that nothing in the world cannot compete with.
Great Hub!! Sodas are so addictive. I was drinking about 2 cans a day then I heard about how unhealthy high fructose corn syrup is. Now, I do the juice and club soda thing. I will also mix lemon and/or lime juice with agave nectar and add seltzer (taste kinda like 7-up). And sometimes I will do a natural soda-usually root beer-gotta have root beer with my pizza.
It's not just the sugar that is unhealthy. Its the effect that soda puts on your blood chemistry and PH balance. Just removing sugar doesn't make it healthy.
That healthy alternate soda options are cool!
very useful, thanks.
This is great! I never knew Italian sodas were so easy to make. I personally don't drink coke (or pop, as it's called around here), but due to my health condition I'm supposed to drink 1 1/2 gallons of liquid a day--and more when it's hot. I'm always looking for new things to drink, and these look really good. Maybe I can get some of my family members to drink them too.
One of the earlier comments caught my eye. It was by Pete, asking how to stop drinking caffeine without ending up in the ER with withdrawal symptoms. I'm sure he isn't the only one with that problem--instead of trying to stop drinking caffeine all at once, maybe try weaning yourself off of it slowly. Maybe drink one can less per day, and you could even replace it with one of these wonderful Italian sodas!
It's very informative for soda usage. Thanks for your valuable stuff.
I do not drink soda but do drink a lot of juice. Lately I have gone to a better alternative and that is water, vinegar, honey and a dash of ginger.
you know all we drink anymore is pepsi. i went for 2 years without even thinking about soda, and now since im always thirsty, and soda is so cheap, its all we drink in my home. Im definately going to consider the fruit juice and the club soda thing, it seems like an alternative that shouldnt be too expensive.
I've had 2 Diet Pepsis in the last 2 or 3 months. I drink coffee but my alternative to soda has been a blend of powdered supplements and they taste great. One's an antioxidant. I really like the taste and I no longer have a craving for soda that I would get once in a while.
JerseyGirl 3 years ago
Great info! I try to introduce non-soda drinks in my house, and try to make it "fun" to enjoy. Thanks for many great ideas.