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I think the answer to the flavored drink question depends on what you're substituting the flavored drinks for. If you're having one when you're craving something sweet, and drinking it makes it easier for you to avoid a higher-calorie dessert, I don't see the harm. But if you're drinking them instead of water, that's not as good. It's all about what they do to your net calorie intake.

I'm not that worried about the possibly carcinogenic qualities of artificial sweeteners, but to me they just taste icky and are a little creepy (I'm not a big fan of artificial flavors in general). If you're having a beverage instead of a brownie, you can afford to have half seltzer and half juice, or maybe an Izze or one of the flavored Pellegrinos (mmm, Aranciata on a hot day). I always pour my carbonated beverages over a giant cup of ice. Makes 'em feel more satisfying.

What about herbal iced teas? There are some delicious calorie-free teas out there that have the added bonus of antioxidants. Tea's Teas are widely available (their Oolong is good), but if you make your own you'd have more options, like fruit flavors (like peach rooibos, yum).

Artificial sweeteners are scary (read 'Excitotoxins' - eek), and they may have a similar effect to sugar on our metabolism, causing the same food cravings. If you give up sweetened and artificially-sweetened drinks, you'd have fewer cravings, not more, because your metabolism won't be constantly stimulated.

Making sweetened beverages a once-in-awhile treat could be even more rewarding, because you could choose your very favorite, rather than settling for the low/no-calorie options. Having e.g. that artisanal full-flavored ginger ale with a burger once in awhile might end up being more satisfying than regular consumption of a less-delicious drink. It's like having a slice of perfect cheesecake once a week rather than Snackwell's every day - just a different way of looking at it.

I drink Emergen-C, it has 20 calories, no artificial sweetners,fizzes and is full of good stuff, I often forget to take a multi-vitamin, this drink has Vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, minerals, chock full of electrolytes; it's better than water. I can't eat/drink artificial sweetners, they give me headaches. And I also am not watching my weight (I'm underweight, trying to gain). I just think it tastes great. They have all kinds of flavor. I think the Lemon-Lime is best, it fizzes. They should give me a coupon for the free advertising.

Something else, it makes me want to drink more water; I don't know why. I hate drinking water, but after the richness of the Emergen-C I like the tasteless water in between.

yeah, water is your friend, ed...but if you're gonna drink soda, then don't drink the ones with evil artificial sweeteners. my co-worker actually hooked me up with a (glass!) bottle of real coke-made with sugar and not corn syrup! it was sooo amazing-he was able to find it in the mexican section of a grocer. i think snapple finally back to making real sugar drinks too. moderation is key.

what about fruit juices or fruit smoothies? lots of flavor, but goodness packed in too.

why don't you try a week with just water? the craving will work itself out of your body after a few days and you could really see how much weight you actually lose from it-you might be surprised!

as always, exercise! good luck :)

i wonder if chewing gum would be helpful.

or...allow yourself X number of flavored beverages a week. once you hit the limit, that's it.

or...for every flavored beverage, you have to proceed with or follow up with 3x the amount of water or any other ratio you find appropriate. maybe this could help you increase your water intake and enjoy your other beverages and help you reach a balance.

these are just suggestions. considering all your success thus far, you must be doing something right. its just hard to do it ALL right. best of luck to you, Ed!

I sometimes get cravings for ginger ale or cola, but when I indulge, I drink the real sugar versions in a glass full of ice to make it last longer (plus they all seem a little too sweet to me now). I also make a deal with myself that for every flavored drink I have, I must chug an extra glass of water. I drag a 750ml glass bottle of a concoction of Red Zinger herbal tea, white tea, and pomegranate juice (which I love for the mild caffeine buzz, not-too-sweet taste, and the slight tannic taste) to the office, drink that throughout the day, plus two or three glasses of water in between. (I have been upping my liquid intake in an effort to up amniotic fluid for the past few weeks and this--in theory-will help with post-partum weight loss.)

Good luck, Ed--I love flavored liquids and am so far unwilling to give them up for similar reasons you're not.

My wife and I have been drinking water with dinner for 10 years now. We're quite used to it. We only rarely have a flavoured drink as a treat, and to be honest, I'm usually happier with the water. Throw a slice of lemon in it.

As for craving something else, water is the best way to kill a craving. If you're jonesing for some chocolate or ice cream or something else you know you don't need, drink a glass of water first, then wait a couple minutes and see if you're still craving a treat. Unless you're actually hungry, your craving will probably disappear.

My exception is when I'm at my in-laws place. The water is so soft, I can't stand the taste of it. I just drink alcohol when I'm there.

@sarahdlr; I agree, the best way to drink water is to keep a full jug on the counter, room temperature. Depending on the water in the area, some might prefer a Brita-style filter jug. I still like ice water as well; it depends what I'm in the mood for.

@gastronomeg; if you want real-sugar coke, just stock up on the Kosher Coke around the Jewish holidays. You can identify it quickly by the yellow cap, at least in Canada you can. I'm sure they do that everywhere. Corn syrup is not kosher.

You should try LaCroix. http://www.lacroixwater.com/ You can get it at any grocery store. It's flavored spring water, so it's got some bubbly and it comes in several flavors. It has zero calories and no artificial sweeteners. Rarely do they have this at restaurants, so instead I order club soda with a lime.

agreed with all above -- it's not about the 10 calories, it's about the chemicals in those fake sweeteners that you're putting in your body, that's the real harm.

iced tea is a great alternative, too. as many have said, experiment with flavors, brew a new jar each night in the fridge (a la the kitchn).

but then again, if you're down to one soda a day, I'd say you're doing pretty well. I never buy it myself, because if I have it in the house I will drink it all. at work we have a Pepsi machine and I've been real good about either not having any at all, or only having one with lunch.

additionally, ed, I'd like to ask -- how does your love of flavored liquids jive with your love for food? I know plenty of places do dinners pairing beer or wine with food, but soda seems to be a pretty poor pairing for anything other than hamburgers and pizza.

I find that water seems to be my best friend as I learn to shed pounds. I try to drink at least 33 ounces at work and a couple of more glasses when I get home. I actually enjoy the taste of my food now instead of it being overpowerd by the taste of either juice, tea or soda. I put lemon or lime in my water to give it some pizazz. I also like club soda and add lemon or lime to that as well. Soda is an afterthought for me. If I haven't had coffee that day, then I might get a 20 oz. diet Dr. Pepper.

Water hydrates and also helps all the toxins that we eat or even breathe in to go through our system faster. At least for me that has been the case.

I also would give a thumbs up to DianaS's suggestion of La Croix, It takes a bit to get used to, more so than Emergen-C, but it's refreshing in different way. I think it's a bit expensive, though.

I do not believe this nonsense that "soda is poison." Yes, colas are rich in phosphoric acid, which is bad for your teeth and bones, but non-colas are generally not. Yes, some artificial sweeteners are associated with cancer in massive quantities (saccharine caused cancer in rats at a dose equivalent to a 180lb man eating a pound a day of the stuff).

My go-to drink is Crystal Light Diet Green Tea with Lemon and Honey. No calories, no caffeine, no phosphoric acid, minimal packaging waste (I use my own reusable water bottle). Plenty of flavor, and satisfies my sweet tooth, too. Could I make my own with tea, water, lemon and aspartame? Sure, but the packets are way more convenient, especially at work.

I do not drink WITH my meals, unless I am dining out - it washes the food down into the intestines faster, causing you to eat more. I drink at least 1 quart of iced tea at work in the afternoon, and another at home in the evening.

You need to learn to love water. Aside from a cup of coffee in the morning, and tea (which I brew, none of that bottled junk) in the afternoon, it's all I drink on weekdays (alcohol is reserved for weekends.) 3 liters a day, which also helps keep you filled and less likely to snack and thus consume additional empty calories.

I've had a serious sweet tooth my entire life, but after a few years of drinking water nonstop every day, I can't even make it through an entire can of soda. A few sips, on a rare occasion, are a delicious treat, but it quickly becomes too sweet (not to mention filling, from the carbonation.)

Exerxise some discipline now and you'll be amazed at how your tastes will change down the road. All I ever want to drink is water.

Here's what works for me.
Since I was diagnosed as a diabetic I watch sugar and don't use the artificial sweetener either.

It's like those of us who love black coffee. Once you get used to it, there's no other way to drink coffee.

I use an ice tea maker with both regular tea, and flavored tea about 1/2 and 1/2 of each.

Since you're in NY, give a try to Black Lichi tea. It's very tasty, almost sweet tasting.

I add a couple ounces of a pomegranate or cherry juice. Just enough to give a slight bit of sweetness.

I'd also look for decaf teas since I learned that all Black teas are loaded with caffeine.

After you get used to drinking the teas you'll find you're saving a ton on the flavored drinks.

Also, a slice of fresh lemon or lime does wonders.

I supplement the tea with plain old tap water (NYC water is very highly rated too).

Cheers !

Ed, you might want to try giving up the soda for just awhile -- I dunno, a week? a month? I used to drink it all the time, but gave it up when I was pregnant. And it's the ONLY thing I did not pick up again after the bundle of joy arrived (this was 16 years ago).

Also the suggestion above to drink room temp water is a good one -- not only does it taste better (to me), but I can also down 8 to 16 ounces in a matter of seconds. And if you aren't thirsty, that might help your soda cravings.

Honestly, all the people I know who drink soda regularly - diet or not - have weight issues. That's a loose relationship, and not a cause - I know - but I can't help but be suspicious anyhow. I really think that the best thing you can do to lose weight is to give up soda. I think if nothing else it monkeys with your expectations for sweet taste as fulfillment. I drink water with lemon, tea and coffee - no soda. Lots of tea actually. That does it for me.

I am pretty much a water-only girl ... my body has a low tolerance for caffeine, and I'm hypoglycemic so can't do much sugary pop or juice. Well, plus alcohol a couple nights a week ; ).

BUT every now and then I get tired of it and want something different. In the summers, I've especially been enjoying iced tea made with Tazo's pomegranate green (decaf; although the regular has very minimal caffeine) tea. Refreshing and just fruity enough!

I'm with benbenberi, add a little lemon to your water if you really need some flavour. And you can switch it up with lime and orange if you need a change - the orange especially if you need something a little sweet.

You've come a long way, Ed! Congrats!