[CallMeProtart]

So I'm trying to give up sugar, and I'd like some ideas on some beverage options.

Tea has lost it's joy for me now without the sugar! Hope that changes as I get used to it, but I do get bored of it now since I find it tasteless, so I need something to alternate it with when I'm bored at work. Coffee I can't handle at all without the sugar.

Don't want to go to artificially sweetened drinks instead.

Don't like flavoured teas... they all smell like whatever they are supposed to be, but taste like dishwater to me.

Am I just being a fussy mcfussy and I'm going to have to get used to drinking stuff I don't particularly like, or are there some other sugar free beverages out there? Is cocoa totally disgusting without sugar? Is there anything else I could mix with milk to liven it up?

[libbylu]

Water with lemon juice sqeeaed in it makes a change from plain water. It's also good to have something a bit acidic after you eat as it reduces the amount of fat you absorb from your meal, or something like that.

[BloomLuka]

Sparkling water, add in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if you need flavour. It's about routine - I now get disappointed when we run out and I can't take a bottle to work.

[CallMeProtart]

Lemon, good idea! And actually lemon teas too are one of the few that actually taste of the flavour.
And sparkling water - how the heck did I forget about that? Brilliant - thanks!

[semf]

Water.

Not trying to be a smart alec OP but you may find you have a bit of sugar "withdrawal" for lack of a better word and its important to stay hydrated. Get in the mind frame of drinking water medicinally and it will obviously reduce your thirst and you can then tacke the sugar cravings head on.

Why are you giving up sugar? If you just want to reduce refined/added sugar but are okay with natural sugars then fresh fruit and veggie juices might be an option. My favourite combo of apple, orange, carrot and beetroot is a fantastic sugar hit for the mid afternoon slump.

Do you have to go cold turkey? I managed to go from 2 sugars in tea/coffee to 0 slowly over about 6 months. It took a while to kick the last 1/2 teaspoon but its totally doable.

Good luck!

[hoppingllama]

What about using nativa, a natural sugar substitute. I actually found it allowed me to wean from the taste of sugar. I do love their hot dark chocolate powder. http://www.natvia.com.au/

[lifehacker]

Lemon or limes. Iced tea. I drink cocoa and milo with hot water, no milk - I love it.

[CallMeProtart]

Milo is about 50% sugar! Will try iced tea - I never actually have.

Hoppingllama - dunno why, but I just can't stand the taste - a friend lent me some. I've always been quite sensitive to the taste of artificial sweeteners, and stevia based ones are no different

semf - no I'm trying to do the no fructose thing, so steering away from juices as well. I might start on green smoothies or something that keeps all the fibres, once I've tamed my sweet tooth, but I don't want to make it a staple as I've been reading sweet poison and want to trying being fructose free.
But yep, will possibly end up weaning slowly if I can't find any satisfactory substitutes. I've gotten my coffee down to 1 from 3, and tea about half from one... but I'm hitting the wall!

[SarahM72]

So I'm trying to give up sugar, and I'd like some ideas on some beverage options.
Is cocoa totally disgusting without sugar?

Yes

Is there anything else I could mix with milk to liven it up?

If you like a chocolate taste try plain carob powder. It is quite sweet on its own without sugar. Or try tea made with milk. Boil the tea bag with the milk, and add some cardamon and cinnamon. Or you can google chai masala and see what other spices you could add to milk based tea.

There is also a nice Indonesian way of serving hot milk which is a spicy ginger drink. It has powdered ginger and a pinch of pepper boiled in milk. Depending what shops you have near you, you may be able to buy ready mixed sachets to add to hot milk. Just check they don;t have sugar in them (some ready mix sachets do).

This post has been edited by SarahM72: 26/11/2012, 12:16 AM

[SeaPrincess]

We have a soda stream machine that is used exclusively for fizzing water. We're not big on sugary drinks, but sometimes you just want something different from plain old tap water.

R