CITYWIDE Put down that can of Coke, there are other ways to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Valerie Gawin, a registered dietitian and owner of the health consulting firm Westside MNT Specialists, in Malibu, said sweet and healthy drinks are within reach. It just takes a little imagination.
There’s no need to indulge in an artificially sweetened soda with high fructose corn syrup. Follow these healthy drinking tips: n Take some sparkling water, which has close to zero calories, and add a splash orange juice, grapefruit juice or cranberry juice. The combination results in a sweet and healthy carbonated drink that has much less calories than a soft drink. n There’s nothing wrong with a little Splenda. Unlike the popular pink and blue packets available at your local coffee shop, Splenda is actually a real sugar molecule that is modified so that it mimics a carbohydrate sugar molecule, but has no calories, Gawin said. “That is what I use when I want to sweeten something,” Gawin said. n Still can’t get away from soda? Then reach for the Diet Pepsi than the regular Pepsi.
“Stay away from the high calorie content drinks because they do add significantly in terms of calorie content of a complete meal,” says Gawin.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 13, 2007. Read the original PDF.