Sugar free squash

[Cluborange666]

Eldest child is autistic and has always refused to drink water (but never drinks enough of anything unless reminded). He often wakes in the night dehydrated so I let him have a bottle of sugar free squash beside his bed. DH recently pointed out that the sugar free squash does in fact contain fruit sugars so it’s still bad for his teeth. Does any squash (ideally apple or blackcurrant) contain ZERO forms of sugar?

Not totally sugar free but https://robinsonssquash.co.uk/our-products/family-favourites/apple-blackcurrant-double-concentrate/ has 0.2g of sugar per 100ml which isn’t too bad.

Have you tried an AirUp bottle… those give a scent of apple (or other flavours) which in theory gives the water a slight taste. They are expensive though so wouldn’t suggest buying unless you can try one first somehow.

Robinson's squash'd minis have "negligible" sugar and are one calorie per 100ml diluted. There can't be much sugar in one calorie, surely.

Have you tried alternative water flavourings like those Twinings cold water infusions or Waterdrop? They are much more expensive than squash though.

Fruit has naturally occurring sugars, you're not going get away from that. But some of that compared to a can of coke, no brainer.

I also agree with the air up bottle, it seems to be the thing at the moment and my boys can't get enough of it.

The problem with lots of these drinks is that they’re acidic, as well as sugary. So even if they are totally sugar free they’re not great for drinking in the night.

Mint or cucumber in the water might work?

Teisseire Zero

I'm pretty sure those French cordials in tins have zero sugar. You add water. They are lovely flavours - pomegranate and raspberry or mint and lime or elderflower. My autistic DS loved them. Expensive but you dilute it yourself, and only need a tiny amount as it is strong, so it works out okay.

Teisseire Zero - as PP said.

I like the Robinsons Fruit creations. Have blueberry and something at the moment
Which has no added sugar, but obviously still contains fruit sugars.. you can't escape that in squash.
Personally as long as he's drinking something, I wouldn't worry about a splash of squash.

Anything other than plain water is going to be detrimental to tooth health.

I'd be more worried about the sorbitol and the like than fruit sugars

Would encourage the use of a straw

Yeah this is probably not a helpful answer but I think the sweeteners in zero sugar products create another issue altogether.

Just put fruit tea bags or any other flavoured/herbal tea in cold water? This is what I do, have done for years, teeth are good.

Also no sweeteners etc I like mint, ginger, rose and strawberry tea. Green can be nice and refreshing if not left for too long.

Thanks all.