8 Healthy Soda Alternatives That Actually Taste Good

Soda is an addicting combination of carbonation and sugar, and for some, caffeine. Once you’ve had it, you’ll probably want more. It obviously tastes more exciting than water. Unfortunately, soda comes with some negative side effects. Sweetened drinks can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes from increased insulin resistance. Caffeine can also affect your blood sugar levels.

Soda replacements for people with diabetes

Diet sodas seem like a clear alternative to regular soda. However, I wanted to get creative. I am sharing some soda replacements you may have yet to try!

Olipop

Olipop is in its own beverage category. It is a healthy soda and a probiotic drink. It has no added processed sugar.It is sweetened with stevia and fruit juice.It contains just 2 grams of added sugar per can.

To me, it doesn’t have that “fake sweet” taste. It’s made with herbs and spices like chicory root, calendula, ginger, and cinnamon. Some flavors include:

• Ginger lemon
• Strawberry vanilla
• Vintage cola
• Root beer

Kombucha

Kombucha has a soda mouth-feel due to its carbonation and sweet taste. It is a fermented, probiotic tea drink. The base is green or black tea and sugar. Most of the caffeine and sugar is gone by the end of the fermentation process. Kombucha should have 4 to 12 grams of sugar by the time it’s bottled. Some brands are sweeter than others. Always read the nutrition label to find the lowest sugar option.

Flavored water: La Croix & Waterloo

These are my 2 favorite flavored sparkling water brands. I love the flavors of both. Try the coconut-flavored La Croix or a black cherry Waterloo. These carbonated beverages contain no sugar. They only contain carbonated water and natural flavoring. If you want, you could add a few drops of stevia for a sweeter flavor.

Mineral water

Mineral water is slightly different than sparkling water. It typically comes in a glass bottle. It has a specific trace mineral concentration. It can be sparkling or still. Popular brands include San Pellegrino and Topo Chico. Mineral waters can be fun to infuse with herbs and fruits.

Coconut water

Coconut water is a wonderful way to replace electrolytes. Drink it after working out or on a hot day. It is naturally sweet and easy to find. Some companies add extra sugar to coconut water. Be sure to check the ingredient list to avoid that!

Mock-mimosa

Alcohol, especially champagne, can be high in calories and sugar. This is a great drink for Sunday mornings. You avoid added sugars and FOMO (fear of missing out). To make it, fill a glass 3/4 full with sparkling water. Fill the last 1/4 with orange juice and enjoy!

Infused water

As we know, water is very important to drink. Infused water makes staying hydrated much easier. You can simply chop up fruit and add herbs to your water. You could also infuse the fruit overnight in the fridge. Here are some of my favorite soda replacements using infused water:

• Lime juice and mint leaves
• Cucumber and honeydew melon
• Lemon juice and lavender flowers
• Strawberry and basil

Homemade sparkling iced tea

First, make a batch of iced tea. Choose any tea you prefer. If you choose tea with caffeine, be mindful of your blood sugar. I make iced tea by boiling 8 cups of water. Turn the stove off and add 4 tea bags. Let the tea cool to room temperature and remove the bags.

Once the tea is cold, fill a glass halfway with it. Fill the other half with sparkling water. Add a few drops of stevia if you want it sweet. Top off with ice cubes before drinking!

Conclusion

Cutting down on soda can be challenging, but it is possible! The mix of sugar and caffeine can keep you hooked. Luckily, there are some excellent alternatives.

Have you tried reducing your soda intake? If so, what is your favorite soda replacement?