To be cross there’s artificial sweeteners in most drinks now?

[Worriedmummy2400]

I’m starting keto so cutting down the carbs considerably but I don’t want to up the artificial sweeteners either. I like lemon squash but all the brands seem to use sweeteners that aren’t great for you. Like diet drinks do. Is there a low carb so no sugar squash that uses a better sweetener? I’ve been told by a dr to cut down caffeine and artificial sweeteners. I hate water and don’t drink it plain. Help!

Yes it's annoying. Many bars/cafes only sell the diet versions on soft drinks now. Even if the menu says sprite, it tends to be the diet version.

They use sorbitol, a very sweet tasting laxative

Have you tried actual lemon slices in hot or cold water? Otherwise I think Rocks cordials may be crap free.

Try water with just a dash of pure fruit juice - basically, add it as you would squash. There'll be a small amount of sugar from the fruit juice but better than lots of artificial additives if you can't drink water plain.

Ginger, mint? Tonnes of recipes for naturally flavouring water out there.

https://chelsweets.com/lemon-simple-syrup/

I agree. I just find sugared cordials on Ocado. I hate the taste of sweetened drinks.

Ever tried cucumber water? Just steep slices of cucumber in water. It's so refreshing

Water Sparkling or still, with fresh lime juice (or lemon) do a few fruits at a time keep in the fridge, no sugar and delicious.

I dislike the taste of sweeteners too so basically avoid most things. Though I’m happy with water though. Try just putting a slice of lemon or orange in it.
You could also try an air up bottle - my son has one, it’s kind of ridiculous but you’re drinking plain water but it tastes of the cartridge you smell as you’re drinking it.

Sweeteners ( artificial) taste foul.
A bitter aftertaste Aspartame- GROSS.

Plain sparkling water makes you feel like you've had something but if you really can't stand plain add chunks of lemon and orange - and soon, tangerine slices.

Nicest water I’ve had was a large jug of iced mineral water with loads of fresh mint crammed into the jug. Beautiful.

Fruit tea? It takes the edge of the wateriness.

Artificial sweetners are rank and give me thumping headaches. Plus the bastarding things leave an aftertaste for hours. 🤢

KFC is a joke. I wouldn't be in there in the first place if I was having an ultra healthy moment, and water does not wash that level of grease away.

Pubs are also annoying. Often the only option is a small bottle of over-priced coke if drinking alcohol isn't an option.

Fruit juice and dilute it.
Elderflower cordial is nice and usually doesn’t have any artificial ingredients or sweetener.

Yes it is very annoying. I've cut sweeteners out of my diet completely and it has made a huge difference to my life. I am absolutely amazed at how many drinks have sweeteners in them. I shouldn't be amazed, it is so companies don't have to pay the sugar tax. As per usual, companies are putting human health at risk so they can protect their bottom line. The answer? Buy the really expensive, premium stuff 🙄

There is no full sugar version available in the UK anymore, unless you find one of those American shops. The non-diet version has sweetener. Bottle Green now also have Stevia in some of their drinks, listed as ‘natural flavouring’ so they are no longer safe.

I order Tiessere (sp?) cordials from French Click. Cawston Press, Fever Tree, Dalston, Luscombe and Heartease Farm and the M&S Juicy range are safe for fizzy options.

Sweetener is disgusting. It leaves a horrible aftertaste for me and tastes awful while drinking too. Coke is the only proper sugar drink I know of now, even the lovely San Pellegrinoa are made horrible by sweeteners. Plus Coke Zero is really nasty tasting now and I used to be able to tolerate it. When I'm doing keto I use a bit of Rose's lime cordial mixed with sparkling water, if the lime has sweetener it's not enough to make it taste bad to me.

I can’t tolerate sweeteners and recently used a self serve soft drinks machine. Full sugar Pepsi with a variety of flavours available to add, cherry, lime etc. But the fruit flavour syrup has sweeteners in?!
If I don’t have fresh fruit to add to water I use a dash of lime juice. The kind you buy for baking. Then loads of ice.

Just add slices of whatever citrus you like, put on the fridge for a few hours

Yes, very annoying. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame give me awful headaches, never mind the fact that they taste disgusting. I’d much rather have real sugar than chemicals that we don’t yet know the long term effects of. I’m pretty much stuck with full fat coca-cola, fruit juice or very specific brands of squash now.

Stevia isn't an artificial sweetener. It made in a similar way to sugar. Sugar comes from cane or sugar beet. Stevia comes from a leaf.

What's worse than artificial sweetener? Sugar in savoury foods. I've noticed bread is getting sweeter.

Dash water cans are nice (raspberry is nicest to me) and sweetener free.

At home we use the soda stream and add a squirt of lime juice from the bakery aisle bottles, or slices of lemon/lime.

For squash, the Sainsbury’s High Juices don't have sweetener, and some of the Waitrose ones.

Yes, they are disgusting! Very limiting choices.

@Worriedmummy2400

I can't stand tap water in the U.K. and I can't stand water tepid.

its not ideal, but I buy the Highland Spring 10 litre casks of water. Put that in the fridge, & for me, that's perfect. Try a bottle or two first to make sure you like it. I can't stand Evian or Buxton.

I have the occasional Pepsi Max (with rum) but that's about it.

Fevertree flavoured Tonic water are usually made without sweeteners. They do a few different flavours.