Sugar-free soft drinks

[Lung Per]

Doctor's orders: I have to cut down my intake of sugar. This may have serious consequences for the consumption of my afternoon Gin&Tonic. Tonic Water has a large sugar content.
In the old world, Schweppes sells a sugar-free Tonic Water. I have not been able to find it in HH. Any suggestions? And no; I'd rather not switch to Scotch and Soda.

[BaaBaa.]

Sangsom and water?

[margaretcarnes]

Thailand and sugar go together like the Miliband of Brothers - so I would think a daily G & T would be the least of your worries!
But seriously, I've read somewhere recently that artificial sweeteners aren't much better than the real thing in terms of health, and anything labelled 'sugar free' may well still contain artificial stuff. Similarly 'no added sugar' doesn't mean sugar free. Maybe Mr Plum will come along and lend his better knowledge on this?
It simply isn't possible to cut out sugar altogether, and you may find that isn't what is intended, so I'd have a chat to your doc about the whole balance of diet including of course drinks!
One thing which immediately springs to mind about Thai food in general though is their local sliced white bread for example. Sweetened. And try to figure out the ingredients? No chance.
Street food will have sugar and no labelling anyway.
It's a minefield and the odd G & T is likely to be needed

[MrPlum]

Doctor's orders: I have to cut down my intake of sugar. This may have serious consequences for the consumption of my afternoon Gin&Tonic. Tonic Water has a large sugar content.
In the old world, Schweppes sells a sugar-free Tonic Water. I have not been able to find it in HH. Any suggestions? And no; I'd rather not switch to Scotch and Soda.

Agree with Margaret. The sugar substitutes are worse health-wise than normal sugar. You could cut out sugar elsewhere and keep your favourite tipple but only you know what you are putting into your mouth. Stevia is a healthy sugar substitute. It can be found at Golden Place but is mostly overpriced twigs in a bag. Better quality can be found on the 2nd floor of Market Village. Soak a few leaves in water. This makes a sweet liquid which you can add to drinks.

[hhfarang]

Lung Per,

I've had the same dilemma for a couple of years as my blood sugar readings are borderline diabetic. This is probably one of the worst places to live if you have a blood sugar problem. If you eat Thai food they always put a lot of sugar in it. I try to get my wife to use less but it still seems like she uses a lot.

Also, as you said sugar free tonic is not available here. I've been looking for it for six years including all over Bangkok and it simply doesn't exist here.

I don't (never have) eaten sweets or drank sweetened drinks (other than mixers like tonic) so the doctor advised me to cut back on fruit juices which contain a lot of natural sugar and carbohydrates which the body turns into sugar, but carbs are what I crave like some crave sweets so it is difficult for me.

[pharvey]

Doctor's orders: I have to cut down my intake of sugar. This may have serious consequences for the consumption of my afternoon Gin&Tonic. Tonic Water has a large sugar content.
In the old world, Schweppes sells a sugar-free Tonic Water. I have not been able to find it in HH. Any suggestions? And no; I'd rather not switch to Scotch and Soda.

Agree with Margaret. The sugar substitutes are worse health-wise than normal sugar. You could cut out sugar elsewhere and keep your favourite tipple but only you know what you are putting into your mouth. Stevia is a healthy sugar substitute. It can be found at Golden Place but is mostly overpriced twigs in a bag. Better quality can be found on the 2nd floor of Market Village. Soak a few leaves in water. This makes a sweet liquid which you can add to drinks.

Mr P - Is Stevia known by any other names? Any idea what it is in Thai?

[Nereus]

This is a very good glossary of Thai foods, but it does not list the stuff in question, unless it is called something else:

http://www.panix.com/~clay/cookbook/bin/thai.cgi

[MrPlum]

Mr P - Is Stevia known by any other names? Any idea what it is in Thai?

'Ya Wan' or 'sweet leaf'.

...carbs are what I crave like some crave sweets so it is difficult for me.

Sugar cravings can be reduced by introducing more 'bitter' into your diet.

Watch sugar if you have cancer, it feeds it. This goes completely against dietary advice from mainstream where they encourage high calorie diet to prevent weight loss/emaciation.

Another to watch is candida overgrowth, which can also create sugar cravings.

[Lung Per]

Lung Per,

I've had the same dilemma for a couple of years as my blood sugar readings are borderline diabetic. This is probably one of the worst places to live if you have a blood sugar problem. If you eat Thai food they always put a lot of sugar in it. I try to get my wife to use less but it still seems like she uses a lot.

Also, as you said sugar free tonic is not available here. I've been looking for it for six years including all over Bangkok and it simply doesn't exist here.

I don't (never have) eaten sweets or drank sweetened drinks (other than mixers like tonic) so the doctor advised me to cut back on fruit juices which contain a lot of natural sugar and carbohydrates which the body turns into sugar, but carbs are what I crave like some crave sweets so it is difficult for me.

Thanks y'all. Diabetes type II is my problem. I have had it for a long time and i'ts under fairly reasonable control. I am keeping a proper diet and fortunately my little lady has learned not to put sugar into my food. Different story when eating out, the memory of the waitress does not reach from the table to the kitchen. And yes, artificial sweeteners also have some drawbacks and I try to avoid the sweetening alltogether, whenever possible. I guess the substitute for the Tonic Water will be Club Soda, with plenty of freshly squeezed lime. However, that doesn't have the anti-malaria qualities (quinine) of a good Indian Tonic.

a

[margaretcarnes]

There's a treatment for Type 1 diabetis which involves adjusting the insulin doseage according to what is eaten, rather than strictly controlling diet to fit with the Insulin.
I wonder if there is anything similar for Type 2 and oral meds?
Meanwhile LP at least limes are cheap there!

[TypicallyTropical]

I'm not a health expert but I am a pretty good "Mixologist" to solve your "Gin & Tonic" question. Good news, you don't have to give up on your favorite drink, just adjust the ratio to more gin and less tonic!

[bladerunner2120]

hmmmmm......if your a diabetic or borderline with a gun at your head then its time to give up the gin and all the other rubbish foodstuffs, surely you cant like it that much that you would allow it to kill you.
I try and avoid sugary soft drinks anyway but you do get sick of drinking diet colas all the time, though when in a hot climate i prefer filtered water.

[Lung Per]

I made a few inquiries at selected purveyors of liquor and soft drinks around town.
(Why do I get to think about the French policeman in the "Allo Allo" show when I read this sentence?) Anyways, none, except one, were willing to look into the possibility of procuring sugarfree indian tonic. One did mention that if a substantial order was placed, he might be willing to look into the matter (whatever that implies).
If there is sufficient interest among this forum's learned readers I could perhaps make him an offer he can't refuse... Any takers on a regular basis out there??

[Amarita]

Then I think that you have to change your tonic water
with soda water and lots of lime plus ice.
There isnt quinine in tonic water anymore. That was more
in the old days.
Good luck...

[poosmate]

I was told that sugar substitute drinks suffer a short shelf life and are not stable in a hot climate. I think that is why many sugar free drinks are not sold. I have also noticed that Sprite Zero has vanished?