This post is mainly for my mother, who was on such a mission to get me to quit drinking soda that she started sending me articles over Facebook about how bad it is for you. 😉
I’ve realized that living in hotels full time has taken somewhat of a toll on my health (mentally and physically), so I’ve tried to change that. After all, your single most important asset in life is your health.
I’m trying to work less, which is tough to do, since I don’t really view my “work” as “work,” but I also recognize that I lack any sort of balance in my life. And I’m also trying to be healthier — I’ve been going to the gym almost every day, am trying to eat healthier, and trying to get more sleep (which has sort of been a challenge the past week!). 😉
Early this month I completely gave up drinking soda. Long time readers will know that at times it almost appeared like Diet Coke was the official sponsor of the blog. I realize I drank way too much Diet Coke. I’m someone who drinks a lot of still water, and I don’t drink alcohol very often, so I always viewed the alternatives as being quite limited. Diet Coke was just something to drink with taste. And I really did love the taste, with a glass filled to the rim with ice and a wedge of lime.
But several weeks ago I gave up Diet Coke.
If I’m being honest, I really did miss it the first week. I don’t think I was addicted, but I had times every day where I said “I could really go for a Diet Coke right about now.”
But after the first week or so I did stop thinking about it. Until yesterday. I was at an event where there was still water, soda, and coffee. I had already had a lot of still water and I had way too much coffee in the morning. So I figured I’d have a Diet Coke.
Much to my surprise, I really didn’t enjoy it anymore. I never thought my tastebuds would actually reject Diet Coke, but they did — it just tasted like nasty, artificial chemicals to me. So I guess that’s a good thing.
But that does bring me to my one point of frustration regarding all this, and how it impacts my travel. I fly a ton domestically — usually 200,000+ miles per year — and that’s almost exclusively on American. My drink options on those flights include soda (which I don’t drink anymore), juice (which is from concentrate and gross, in my opinion), alcohol (which I shy away from on domestic flights), and some Canada Dry products.
The closest thing to sparkling water is Canada Dry Club Soda (I suppose that’s technically soda, but…), which I still don’t actually like.
So I guess I didn’t realize this until I gave up Diet Coke, but I sure wish US carriers stocked real sparkling water, like Pellegrino, or even Perrier. Heck, in Etihad first class you even get a personal minibar with Pellegrino and Acqua Panna (of course that’s slightly different than flying a US carrier).
My solution has simply been to pick up a bottle of Pellegrino at the airport Starbucks before hopping on a flight.
To non-soda/alcohol drinking domestic travelers, what do you drink on domestic flights — just still water, or…?
I always got a Coke when flying. Then I decided to change the way I ate and lose some weight. So instead of a Coke I always got a Bloody Mary mix on ice with a lime. Low calorie drink that I enjoyed and a few vitamins as well. Sodium was a little high but I didn't worry about that. It was calories I worried about. Turned out great. Love the drink and the fact that I don't have as much sugar or fake sugar in my diet.
Every summer I'm spoiled with great sparkling water in F/J as well as hotel lounges. Then I come home and I make my own sparkling water with my soda stream. Probably not an option for you, and it's too bad sparkling water isn't as popular in the US as much as drinks loaded with sugar are.
I used to drink a crazy amount of diet coke and coffee too. Stopped both a while back and feel so much better for it. I know how you feel about not having many drink options. (I also don't drink any alcohol whatsoever!) My go to drink lately has been peppermint tea. It took a while but I actually really enjoy it. It's also really great for your digestion. I always carry a few bags...
I used to drink a crazy amount of diet coke and coffee too. Stopped both a while back and feel so much better for it. I know how you feel about not having many drink options. (I also don't drink any alcohol whatsoever!) My go to drink lately has been peppermint tea. It took a while but I actually really enjoy it. It's also really great for your digestion. I always carry a few bags with me and if they don't have peppermint tea I just ask for hot water and make my own. :)
I gave up soda (I drank mostly diet soda at the time) several years ago and that alone made me loose weight (along with other health benefits)! Not sure how they correlated at the time but realized later that it was a good life choice. Giving it up was so hard though and almost felt like an addiction.
As a heavy traveler though, keeping your health in check is even harder. Even with daily...
I gave up soda (I drank mostly diet soda at the time) several years ago and that alone made me loose weight (along with other health benefits)! Not sure how they correlated at the time but realized later that it was a good life choice. Giving it up was so hard though and almost felt like an addiction.
As a heavy traveler though, keeping your health in check is even harder. Even with daily exercise, a relatively healthy diet, etc... I got diagnosed with mild DVT just because I was sitting/laying down on a plane so much. Don't get me wrong, I love flying on planes and traveling, but it does take a toll on the body. :(
Diet coke is no worse for you than coffee. Everything in moderation. I expect you will be back to it eventually and you will like it.
Coke should pay you off to take the habit back up. Wouldn't want a jetset trendsetter like you taking down a tiger.
Lucky - here's my experience. I've been seeing an orthomolecular medicine specialist (whose focus is balancing brain and body chemistry). I believe he's one of the world's foremost experts in the area. He advised me that, if I had to drink cola, regular Coke was better for me than Diet Coke (because the artificial sweeteners, except for Stevia, do have negative impact). He also suggested I drink vegetable juices (such as tomato juice and V-8)...
Lucky - here's my experience. I've been seeing an orthomolecular medicine specialist (whose focus is balancing brain and body chemistry). I believe he's one of the world's foremost experts in the area. He advised me that, if I had to drink cola, regular Coke was better for me than Diet Coke (because the artificial sweeteners, except for Stevia, do have negative impact). He also suggested I drink vegetable juices (such as tomato juice and V-8) instead of fruit juices.
Non drinker who gave up sodas (Mostly Diet Dr Pepper) here. I also fly mostly on AA. If a morning flight -- and esp if an international flight -- I bring a Starbucks on the plane and then have club soda the rest of the time. Sitting up front and not drinking 'just' Club soda seemed odd to me for a while. But I drink La Croix at home (Costco, 7.50 a case), so the...
Non drinker who gave up sodas (Mostly Diet Dr Pepper) here. I also fly mostly on AA. If a morning flight -- and esp if an international flight -- I bring a Starbucks on the plane and then have club soda the rest of the time. Sitting up front and not drinking 'just' Club soda seemed odd to me for a while. But I drink La Croix at home (Costco, 7.50 a case), so the club soda with a lime is pretty decent. I do wish they had Perrier though. Thanks for the great tips and articles.
definitely trying to cut way back on this stuff myself, but note the diet stuff is still better than sugar:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/28/upshot/the-evidence-supports-artificial-sweeteners-over-sugar.html
The second I read the club vs sparkling line, I knew where the comments were headed :)
Couldn't agree with you more!!! I drink club soda with a lemon (guess how many times they bring me a lime instead?), and I certainly wish they could offer Pellegrino instead of Canada Dry Club Soda.
I know that there aren't many DL folks on this blog, but DL serves S. Pellegrino up front. Just ask for sparkling water, that's what you'll get. With AA it's club soda, or "Trevi" out of Asia. Trevi is a Korean brand that's just gingerale without ginger or sugar. I don't drink Soda that often, and I don't drink alcohol at all, so that's what I always order. Sparkling water throughout the flight and Peppermint...
I know that there aren't many DL folks on this blog, but DL serves S. Pellegrino up front. Just ask for sparkling water, that's what you'll get. With AA it's club soda, or "Trevi" out of Asia. Trevi is a Korean brand that's just gingerale without ginger or sugar. I don't drink Soda that often, and I don't drink alcohol at all, so that's what I always order. Sparkling water throughout the flight and Peppermint Tea after the meal. It's a great combo. Also, take into account that the minerals that come from most sparkling waters are better for you than most chlorinated tap water. I would argue that Gerolsteiner and Pelegrinno are among the best, especially for Hydro-carbonates, which help your body to keep a slightly higher Ph level. The body does need some salts.
I have actually wondered how you are so fit when you are really travelling the whole time and eating outside food! Any other tricks up your sleeve?
Before moving to Europe, pretty much the only liquid that went into my body was Diet Dr. Pepper. Seriously...like 8 cans a day. Yikes. How did I stop drinking pop? Well, the fact that it cost more to buy a Cola Lite than beer in Germany really did the trick (granted, you have to pay for still water, too). So, to avoid the alcohol as well as the crazy cost for a small amount of...
Before moving to Europe, pretty much the only liquid that went into my body was Diet Dr. Pepper. Seriously...like 8 cans a day. Yikes. How did I stop drinking pop? Well, the fact that it cost more to buy a Cola Lite than beer in Germany really did the trick (granted, you have to pay for still water, too). So, to avoid the alcohol as well as the crazy cost for a small amount of pop, I just bring a bottle of water in my purse/ day bag.
Also, fortunately, most European carriers DO offer sparkling water on their flights, which is a nice alternative to pop, alcohol and sketchy tea/ coffee!
Calling Frankfurt my home base for a year and a half (and falling in love with Lufthansa), I came to develop a taste for sparkling water - a nice cold glass of lightly sparkling water (San Pellegrino is my favourite) with a slice of lime is just about one of the most refreshing drinks. If it's past a certain hour in the afternoon, a nice cold pilsner hits the spot (er, is that alcohol?)
I stopped drinking soda when I was 15. 25 years later and I don't miss it at all. I also stopped drinking alcohol four years ago as it was making me tired during my travels. By comparison, I have maybe 3 coffees per year (limited to when I really need it), and drink herbal tea a couple times per month.
So, it's still water all the way for me on most flights, with maybe a...
I stopped drinking soda when I was 15. 25 years later and I don't miss it at all. I also stopped drinking alcohol four years ago as it was making me tired during my travels. By comparison, I have maybe 3 coffees per year (limited to when I really need it), and drink herbal tea a couple times per month.
So, it's still water all the way for me on most flights, with maybe a juice on a longhaul flight. On a longhaul flight I'll explain up front that I just drink still water and to keep it coming all flight. :) I don't think of beverages as a source of flavor any more. I'll usually start my day with a small bit of fresh juice and/or kefir, and that's it. Cathay Pacific has a nice lasse like drink called a Cathay Delight that I'll usually drink.
I am not a fan of flying, so I always drink Chardonnay. I know that's not what you were looking for here, but that's a fact. I also recently went off of Diet Coke. I went cold turkey about 2 years ago, and I feel much better. I did crave it for awhile, but now when I taste it, I think, hmmm, why did I like it so much, and, it isn't thirst-quenching at all. I crave water now. Everything I read about diet drinks now is scary. Good for you for kicking the habit!
Ben, finally! I always wanted to say something about that. Your taste buds were right for rejecting it ;)
Club soda with lime or still water with lime.
well ben glad to hear u r feeling better! Like other said above coffeewith milk is good sans the artificial sweeteners. Anyways im a seltzer type of guy with lime-lemon. I suggest when you one day get a permanent address is to get a seltzer maker! But the issue is with aa seltzer is that it has sodium! Why would they stock a seltzer with sodium in it if one would be dehydrated to begin...
well ben glad to hear u r feeling better! Like other said above coffeewith milk is good sans the artificial sweeteners. Anyways im a seltzer type of guy with lime-lemon. I suggest when you one day get a permanent address is to get a seltzer maker! But the issue is with aa seltzer is that it has sodium! Why would they stock a seltzer with sodium in it if one would be dehydrated to begin with on a plane...anyways just my 2 thoughts! Live long and prosper ...on an airplane! :)
In my personal experience, if I know I don't want soda on my flight I try two things:
a. Smuggle flavor mix past security, which usually works, or
b. Try to find a few crystal light packets or flavored water at the airport. I like the first option more because as you well know airport food is criminally overpriced.
Congrats!
I drink no soda or coffee, and rarely drink alcohol. When traveling, I sometimes grab a hot chocolate before boarding. Otherwise, on board, I drink still water (my fave), or, if I need a sugar boost, I'll also have a little apple juice without ice. I know my tastes are more limited than most people's, but I don't usually feel deprived.
Congratulations Ben. I made the switch from Coke to water in the 80s. I used sparkling waters as the transition drink, then cut over to still, or tap (if it's not horrid tasting). A lemon, orange, cucumber or lime wedge is a good natural source of flavor. I will enjoy a soda on occasion, or with my Titos on AA. But that's a treat and not a routine drink. You're learning a lot about balance....
Congratulations Ben. I made the switch from Coke to water in the 80s. I used sparkling waters as the transition drink, then cut over to still, or tap (if it's not horrid tasting). A lemon, orange, cucumber or lime wedge is a good natural source of flavor. I will enjoy a soda on occasion, or with my Titos on AA. But that's a treat and not a routine drink. You're learning a lot about balance. It's interesting how a health issue or crisis motivates change. Glad your self-awareness is on the rise.
I have rarely drunk soda pop in the last 10 years, I prefer unsweetened ice tea or scotch but on the plane will only drink a couple scotch drinks with short water, no ice late in the afternoon or evening. I prefer spicy tomato juice with no ice on the plane or Canada Dry Club soda before 3PM.
I hope your life is regaining some equilibrium and that it becomes less hectic after all the media attention.
Hate anything diet or lite/light. This includes sodas, juices, hot chocolate, etc. The artificial sweeteners (including sucralose/splenda) just taste terrible to me. I'm still on the fence about stevia. I've had decent to poor experiences with it.
I still drink regular soda, although I do so infrequently. Probably 1-2 max per week. Make no mistake, I haven't given it up, but I just don't feel compelled to have it all the time. Part of...
Hate anything diet or lite/light. This includes sodas, juices, hot chocolate, etc. The artificial sweeteners (including sucralose/splenda) just taste terrible to me. I'm still on the fence about stevia. I've had decent to poor experiences with it.
I still drink regular soda, although I do so infrequently. Probably 1-2 max per week. Make no mistake, I haven't given it up, but I just don't feel compelled to have it all the time. Part of the reason may just be that I'm cheap ;)
While in flight, I tend to prefer club soda or, on United, I'll just go for the sparkling Dasani lime. Always without ice. Being sensitive to taste/smell, I hate the plastic bag smell the ice imparts to whatever I'm drinking. So if it's still water, again - no ice, please.
You should look into Caffeinated Club. It's club soda but with caffeine. Love the stuff... too bad you can't find it in the wild very often. Have to Amazon Prime it!
I also recently stopped drinking diet soda's now its most sparkling waters., my favorite is Poland spring with a natural hunk of Mandarin. Next time you're in Europe, try Badoit. It's a milder sparkle.
Root Beer !
What's bad about juice from concentrate?
I was wondering what happened to all those Diet Cokes with lime. Good on you for making this decision.
Good for you Ben! I gave up soda last year. I was in Grenada and a had a Coke
that was so delicious because it was made locally with sugar. When I returned home I couldn't stand the thought of drinking high fructose corn syrup. I usually drink club soda when I fly.
Good job giving up soda. I drink bottled water, no ice. If ginger or peppermint tea is an option, I might have a cup if I'm cold. Stay healthy! Coming to Vancouver anytime soon?
Lately, my choice on domestic or short international flights has been the infamous V8 juice and regular water. I choose red wine and water for transatlantic flights.
A couple of disparate points.
1, never drink bottled water on a plane unless you see it being opened. Some airlines refill them.
2, I am not as concerned by last generation artificial sweeteners as my concern with new, green truvia sweeteners. Some people can not tolerate them and with the green, natural label they will explode in use if the price gets low enough.
3, Jews and those with religious practices involving fasting...
A couple of disparate points.
1, never drink bottled water on a plane unless you see it being opened. Some airlines refill them.
2, I am not as concerned by last generation artificial sweeteners as my concern with new, green truvia sweeteners. Some people can not tolerate them and with the green, natural label they will explode in use if the price gets low enough.
3, Jews and those with religious practices involving fasting take note. THERE ARE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS related to caffeine deprivation. Try switching to a decaf cola and see what happens.
The Canada Dry Club soda is a little bitter if you ask me. KE had SP in a can ex ICN. I think I have seen it in a can in a US super market. I would prefer SP to Canada Dry, but it's not the end of the world.
Basically, That much of anything in life no matter what it is, will most likely in the end make you feel bad.
Just live life in moderation, I probably drink one regular soda maybe every 6 months, I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and a green tea in the afternoon or a peppermint tea.
I eat oatmeal for breakfast with Cinnamon, some fresh blueberries and a very small tablespoon of brown...
Basically, That much of anything in life no matter what it is, will most likely in the end make you feel bad.
Just live life in moderation, I probably drink one regular soda maybe every 6 months, I enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning and a green tea in the afternoon or a peppermint tea.
I eat oatmeal for breakfast with Cinnamon, some fresh blueberries and a very small tablespoon of brown sugar.
Basically my food life is very boring during the week, but at the weekends I enjoy and eat whatever I want.......
If i did not , life would be so boring. So you can still enjoy your diet coke if you want, just don't drink 6 cans of it daily.
I started drinking iced tea with my meals and enjoy them a lot more with a lot less digestive upset, not to mention a lot fewer calories. I don't drink coffee but you can get iced tea most anywhere and often it is a fruit tea that doesn't require any additional sweetener.
I carry a water bottle that is a water filter. I can filter, purify and clean my water on the go. I can use tap water from the bathroom faucet or water fountain. I fill the water bottle and the filter inside the water bottle cleans the water. This prevents me from contracting another water-borne viral infection on top of the one I already have. My immunology doctor explained to me, if you pick up...
I carry a water bottle that is a water filter. I can filter, purify and clean my water on the go. I can use tap water from the bathroom faucet or water fountain. I fill the water bottle and the filter inside the water bottle cleans the water. This prevents me from contracting another water-borne viral infection on top of the one I already have. My immunology doctor explained to me, if you pick up another water-borne virus? You will die! Filter your water! For me? It is a matter of life or death. I don't have a choice. My doctor was quite stern with me. This allows me to travel internationally and avoid the hospital. I stay healthy!
I don't have to worry about if water is available for sale because I have a water filter with me. I only need a water source to fill the water bottle. I can fill the bottle just prior to boarding in the boarding area. No problems with getting it past TSA since it is empty until I get past TSA.
When the water filter bottle becomes empty it is even lighter. I can pack it away when empty or refill it.
I have a shoulder sling for mine. That allows me to carry it over my shoulder or cross body and be hands free. I went to my tailor to have a sling made. It was cheap to make the sling. The sling closes with velcro around the water bottle body and has an adjustable cotton strap to go over my shoulder or cross body. I can remove the sling to clean the water bottle and reinstall it as needed. Super easy! Carrying it in the hands is not convenient. A sling with a strap to carry it over the shoulder is far more convenient.
Brands I recommend, based on certification tests, are: no particular order
1. LifeSaver - pump the bottom. It can leak.
2. Seychelle Water Filter Bottle - squeeze bottle and suck through the straw, hard.
The water does taste different when filtered. It does take time to adjust to the taste difference, but you know the water is clean and safe to drink.
Seychelle makes water filters that allow you to take fetid water and make it clean. They also have a radioactive filter to clean radioactive waste water, like when water is contaminated after an earthquake or tsunami. Example: Japan, post last earthquake and tsunami had radioactivity in the water due to the nuclear power plant leaking. You buy the filter that suits your needs.
Prepper people and survivalists buy these water filters. They are handy if you come from hurricane country, earthquake country or some other natural disaster area. You can get clean water post natural disaster. A water source is important post disaster. So, multiple uses.
The dirtier your water source, the faster the filter must be replaced. How fast you replace the filter depends upon the water source and how often you use it. Ideally, a water filter will last you 6-12 months. Once the water flow slows down it is time to replace the filter. (just like your fridge water filter. same thing)
A portable water filter / water bottle fills the need to have clean, filtered water wherever you happen to be. It limits your risk for a water-borne infection.
Hi Ben, I suggest you take your own mug (China/reusable plastic etc) and teabags, regular or herbal and ask for hot water only so you can regulate the flavour and strength. Hot water with lemon juice or some ginger is also very refreshing. Tap water with lemon or lime is also refreshing.
re: Aqua Panna.
Just another bottled still water, only more expensive (especially if an Italian import). Now owned by S. Pellegrino, which is owned by Nestle, as mentioned above by @Fabio.
A buck says you (or I) couldn't tell the difference if taste-testing against dasani, crystal springs, etc. Especially if ice enters the equation.
Drink some still water with a packet of Emergen-C or an Airborne! It's a healthy immunity boost and gives a bit of flavor and fizz. Plus it's a powder, so no issues with liquids going through security. I always keep a few packets in my bag.
Ginger ale! Canada dry is nice, but try a sreal spicy one if you can get it!
I can't believe you are giving up diet coke! It seemed to be in every trip report!
Hot Tea when you know it will be reasonable (so UK, Canada, OZ, Far East, India, New Zealand and Japan). Avoid it in USA as it's too challenging...
Bottled water (still or sparkling) is safe enough on board...
I can't believe no one mentioned tomato juice: the number 1 drink in the air. Alternatively 1 can of whatever sparkling water and hot water instead of tea and coffee. After the first cup, completely addictive. I got me through many uncomfortable flights or upset stomachs.
Funny how many people have given up soda - I have been soda-free for almost 4 years now. I live in Germany, so sparkling water is kind of the rule here - but if the only available option is club soda, I'll just mix in some still water (and a lime wedge). I know it sounds weird, but it works for me since it takes away some of the tangy bubblines that I dislike from club soda - kind of the way Germans mix in sparkling water into everything to reduce the sweetness :)
I gave up Diet Coke about two years ago. It was the only thing I drank, other than coffee in the morning. Like you, I lost my taste for it quickly. Haven't had a drop in over a year. Now my drink of choice on planes is club soda with a splash of cranapple juice. Nice taste, not too sweet, and very light on calories.
Good for you Lucky! You'll be much happier and healthier without it! I haven't had a soda for many years...it's still water, black coffee and green tea (iced or hot depending on the mood) all the way. Occasionally a small glass of fresh squeezed OJ in the morning (only fresh squeezed with no added anything). As you said, once you move away from the crap, you not only don't miss it and feel better, but it just sounds gross!
Great to hear about your move away from sodas, plus the addition of some gym time and much needed sleep. To quote The Princess Bride, "If you haven't got your health then you haven't got anything. " Keep up the great work!
Bloody Mary Mix!
I normally ask for a glass of ice with the tea that is served on board, if I am feeling something other than water
I only drink Canada Dry Gingerale or Club Soda both with lemon and NO ICE!
Stay away from the ice ;)
Delta serves Seagram's Sparkling Seltzer Water (system-wide), LaCroix sparkling water (on some international flights), and San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water (in Delta ONE only).
Nothing wrong with artificial sweeteners, so carry on with diet coke, if you want.
Despite the scare stories with aspartame and others, large properly conducted scientific systematic reviews have concluded there is no link to cancers and leukaemia and brain tumours and assorted other scare-story diseases.
Soda is Baaaaaaaaaaad. Now you are good! :)
On Lufthansa I drink Apfelschorle. I haven't really flown much domestically in the US and I know that LH serves Apollinaris (mit Köhlensäure) and Elisabethan Quelle (ohne) on all flights in all classes, so the problem of 'clubsoda' is nonexistent for me. On all other airlines I tend to drink tee.
Good for you Ben, I agree with others here that it's best to avoid or greatly limit diet sodas, and in particular Diet Coke (should be a treat, at most).
Still water is obviously best, but I find that too boring, so I mostly drink a decent juice (agree that some airline juices are awful, thus I tend to bring/buy my own onboard), iced tea, still water cut with just a few drops of premium...
Good for you Ben, I agree with others here that it's best to avoid or greatly limit diet sodas, and in particular Diet Coke (should be a treat, at most).
Still water is obviously best, but I find that too boring, so I mostly drink a decent juice (agree that some airline juices are awful, thus I tend to bring/buy my own onboard), iced tea, still water cut with just a few drops of premium cordial, or as the absolute fall back ordinary Sprite.
When it comes to alcohol, G&T or Krug lol. I lightly sample the reds/whites if there is anything really decent.
Here's hoping your new beverage selections leads to improved digestive health.
Personally I'm cool with water. But if you need more flavor, consider the sweetener free water flavor packs. I think they're under 3oz, so are tsa safe. And very small = convenient. My SO hates the "taste" of plain water, and she loves these. I think dasani makes them ( along with other companies).
Ben, I also gave up drinking soda 7 months ago. And I was a huge soda addict! Not a huge fan of alcohol, but coke? Wow! Many times, daily! For me the main issue while travelling is that they don't have many great options on planes. I mean, alcohol, yes! Soda, yes! But what about juices? Never experienced a good fresh juice on board. Ok, I know that's quite hard to have on a plane, but even on business/first, maybe they could try sometime. :)
I'm not sure what you mean by "real sparkling water." Both Perrier and Pellegrino have carbonation added during the bottling process.
@Joey, and others who are confused: Seltzer is simply carbonated water. Club soda has a small amount of mineral salts added to make it more like bottled mineral water. Most people have a good deal of trouble telling the difference.
It would be an odd person (or a true super-taster) indeed who insisted on Perrier or San Pellegrino mineral waters but claimed not to be able to stomach club soda.
Congrats on giving up soda Ben! That stuff is total poison. I gave it up after suffering persistent heartburn for years. After a few months of no soda, it went away and never came back. Now, if I don't want water, I will drink club soda with a small splash of cranberry juice and a lime.
On UA they have started serving Dasani Sparkling with lime. Its a great alternative and gives a little flavor. However, I guess that wont help you on AA.
I thought Club Soda was the same thing as sparkling water, just with a stupid American (err, Canadian) name.
I also quit Diet Coke about a year ago and like you I am a big still water drinker, I now drink iced tea almost exclusively in restaurants when I don't order wine. I know it isn't always available on planes unless you get hot tea and steep it and then pour over ice which is a pain and could easily result in you needing to purchase yet another laptop. There are some very good...
I also quit Diet Coke about a year ago and like you I am a big still water drinker, I now drink iced tea almost exclusively in restaurants when I don't order wine. I know it isn't always available on planes unless you get hot tea and steep it and then pour over ice which is a pain and could easily result in you needing to purchase yet another laptop. There are some very good unsweetened ice teas out there now in bottles but they definately don't seem to be as available as the ubiquitous Diet Coke.
Try some still water with a lime in it. It adds just a bit of flavor that you are perhaps seeking.
For me I usually do club soda with lime or still water with lime.
Glad to hear you kicked the soda habit! Stay healthy Ben.
Nothing wrong with drinking less soda but there are worse things than sweeteners apparently..
The Evidence Supports Artificial Sweeteners Over Sugar
http://nyti.ms/1HUCMkx
Having said that I enjoy the carbonation of soda but have also been trying to cut back on soft drinks also. Love Pellegrino but it is too costly so I have found workable alternative in making my own the old fashioned way with CO2 cartridges. Works great if a little more labor...
Nothing wrong with drinking less soda but there are worse things than sweeteners apparently..
The Evidence Supports Artificial Sweeteners Over Sugar
http://nyti.ms/1HUCMkx
Having said that I enjoy the carbonation of soda but have also been trying to cut back on soft drinks also. Love Pellegrino but it is too costly so I have found workable alternative in making my own the old fashioned way with CO2 cartridges. Works great if a little more labor intensive.
Not a solution when traveling but I do that infrequently enough that I can splurge on the Italian stuff.
Ciao!
Tea! Drink some tea!
If I'm not drinking, water, club soda, or cran-apple. If you don't like club soda I'd say plain water is your best bet.
It's not “Pellegrino”, it's “S. Pellegrino” or San Pellegrino, which means Saint Pellegrino in English, but it's the name of a famous source of water in northern Italy (near Bergamo). This brand is now owned by Nestlé Waters (like Perrier).
US stocked seltzer water but that was lost when the airline chose to adopt AA beverage selections. Maybe they will bring it back as club soda and tonic water are poor substitutes. Always carry lemon or lime packets in case citrus was not catered on the flight.
Great move Ben! I gave up regular soda about 10 years ago and diet soda about 5 years ago. Definitely a much healthier lifestyle.
I only drink juice on flights if I know it is NOT from concentrate.
Love my coffee (and tea) but generally avoid it on flights unless I really need the caffeine. Most planes water filtration can be bad (supposedly?!) and so the water quality might suck.
All that said... I do...
Great move Ben! I gave up regular soda about 10 years ago and diet soda about 5 years ago. Definitely a much healthier lifestyle.
I only drink juice on flights if I know it is NOT from concentrate.
Love my coffee (and tea) but generally avoid it on flights unless I really need the caffeine. Most planes water filtration can be bad (supposedly?!) and so the water quality might suck.
All that said... I do enjoy club soda or sparkling water. No artificial sweeteners and the carbonation does make it more interesting than still water. Just don't drink tonic water which will have sugar or artificial crap in it.
Coffee with a little milk in it on an early flight, sort of a poor man's cafe au lait. AA's coffee isn't so great, however.
After that, still water, sometimes with a wedge of lemon or lime -- just like many of the above posters.
I haven't had a soda in decades. That stuff is nasty, over-carbonated yuck.
Glad to see you kick artificial sweetners to the curb.
To the folks who say they drink coffee/tea - I would have gone this route too were it not for the fact that airline water talks are absolutely filthy. Don't take the risk.
To my knowledge there isn't that big a difference between seltzer, sparkling water, and club soda. Glad to read you're giving up soda! I always order sparkling water with ice and lime when I'm up in the air.
I always travel with Starbuck's Via packets. Decaf coffee packet added to a cup of hot water for morning flights and a Refresher added to ice and water for the afternoon, evening flights.
water with ice. tap, bottle, doesn't make a difference.
i kicked sodas and tea (never been a coffee drinker) a few years back. all i drink now is water and (a moderate amount, usually) of booze on the weekends. i've never had more energy and felt better.
I drink orange juice. Sometimes I'll have a coffee, but if I know I'll need one, I prefer picking up one at Starbucks before getting on the plane.
So usually I stick with orange juice.
I try to stay away from soda too, but it's true that there are no decent alternatives when you're flying. I usually go for a ginger ale in flight.
I applaud you for dumping soda and most importantly diet soda. I worked for several years in the sweeteners industry and not even for a million dollars you will make me drink anything with aspartame, saccharin, etc... Those are basically sweet poison. I also don't like sugar so everything I drink has no sweetener unless it is fresh juice that is sweeten by the fruit. I am a huge drinker of sparkling water. I drink...
I applaud you for dumping soda and most importantly diet soda. I worked for several years in the sweeteners industry and not even for a million dollars you will make me drink anything with aspartame, saccharin, etc... Those are basically sweet poison. I also don't like sugar so everything I drink has no sweetener unless it is fresh juice that is sweeten by the fruit. I am a huge drinker of sparkling water. I drink several bottles a day and in the US I mix between San Pellegrino and Perrier and I usually add a lime to give some flavor. If I am on the plane and no sparkling water is available I just drink still water. Too bad most of US airlines are cheap enough to not serve mineral water but only serve purified water which is basically branded tap water in a bottle. Every time I go to Italy I feel in heaven so many options of sparkling water they have there.
Still water with Lemon or Lime, unless I'm in the pointy end, in which case it's booze or bring coffee aboard.
If I'm not drinking alcohol or coffee when I fly, I'm drinking a club soda with lime. Occasionally I'll pick up a sparkling water of some sort in the terminal prior to the flight. If you do the latter, just be wary of the minor pressure differences and any shaking of the bottle that may have occurred during boarding/take-off when opening the bottle.
Flying not that often one of those tinny diet coke tins gave aleays bern sort of a treat on long haul - until the last AA transcon with a "lack" & warm coke experience - back to still water again
Drink coffee black otherwise you lose the benefits . I drink it all the time.
I drink coffee on the morning and afternoon flights (But I am also pretty sure I am addicted to coffee). At night I drink either water or tea.