Putting the Brakes on Diet Soda

The healthiest times in my life have also been the times when I haven't been drinking diet sodas.  It's not that an occasional diet drink is incompatible with being healthy.  In fact, I don't plan to give them up completely.  But I admit that during my soda-adoring days, my focus was short term -- getting a likable taste and having a treat without drinking calories.  When I mindfully consider the matter, however, I have to admit that sipping chemicals on a regular basis doesn't really jibe with my move towards being healthier.

I'm suspicious of overprocessed foods in general and artificial sweeteners in particular.  I grew up at a time when saccharine was the low-calorie sweetener of choice then watched as it was elbowed out of the way by NutraSweet (aspartame) and Splenda but also as it fell from grace with the FDA.  The FDA eventually lifted the warning from saccharine because they say the tumors in rats caused by the substance aren't seen in humans, but I've never really trusted artificial sweeteners since.  Curious what studies now say about all three sweeteners, I did some poking around on the web.  Like so many things, it is easy to find scary warnings -- even some disquieting ones from reputable sources.  I know, though, that it would be very difficult to be a sane person participating fully in society while steering clear of all additives and preservatives.  So I'll just do my best to keep them at a minimal level.  Early this summer I gave up buying Diet Dr. Pepper at the grocery store.  Adios to the IBC diet root beer and Yoplait Light dessert yogurts too.  Now I've started ordering water when I eat out.  My goal is to get diet sodas down to once or twice a month.

(Click here for an article about the link between diet sodas, weight gain, and diabetes.)

But what to drink instead?

I used to be an herb tea fan, loving peppermint and chamomile.  Recently I pulled out my tea bags and remember just how much I like a cup.  My friends tease me that it is dishwater because I drink it quite weak and without sweetener, but to me it is like water with a little kick.  Lately, I've pulled out my little green teapot and a pretty teacup on some evenings, but I crave that peaceful ritual most often in cold-weather months.  Thus I wandered around Homegoods until I found a small glass pitcher with a handle and lid.  I make peppermint tea and chill it for whenever I want a summertime break from plain water.

Mostly, I just drink water all day and organic skim milk with meals.  With the water, I had a hard time remembering to drink enough when I used a regular glass.  I have to keep open cups out of Eli's reach, so it was always up on a countertop.  Then I tried one of those stainless steel water bottles, but the top was a little unwieldy.  Although I was hoping to avoid using plastics too much with food and drink, I fell in love with the new cups that admittedly look like a fast food cup.  They don't spill if they fall over, they are insulated, the big opening makes it easy to clean or add ice, I can see at a glance how much drink I've got left, and for some dumb reason I drink a lot more water if there is a straw involved.  Hey, it is BPA free and I don't let water sit in there too long.

Between the herbal iced tea and my straw cup, I'm drinking a lot more water these days.  What about you?  What are your tricks for getting enough water?