Low-sugar Soft Drinks

[grtaylor]

Having just been diagnosed as "pre-diabetic" (i.e. a higher than normal blood sigar level but not high enough for medication), I have been told to modify my diet, and lose weight.

One of the things I really enjoy is a gin and tonic, and when visiting the UK I always drink gin and slimline tonic. Does anyone know if there is any shop/supermarket which imports slimline tonic to Thailand? I know about Pepsi Max and Coke Lite, but don't see much else available in the way of low-sugar soft drinks.

Any information appreciated.

Graham

Edited January 16, 2006 by grtaylor

[buadhai]

Never seen diet tonic here. (In fact in Korat I have a hard time finding tonic at all.) Even the other diet soft drinks (Coke Lite and Pepsi Max) are often out of stock.

If you do find any, be sure to post back here.

[grtaylor]

Never seen diet tonic here. (In fact in Korat I have a hard time finding tonic at all.) Even the other diet soft drinks (Coke Lite and Pepsi Max) are often out of stock.

If you do find any, be sure to post back here.

And therein lies the problem - the Thais don't drink G&T, so there isn't even a market for the sweet stuff. Nothing at Villa today, although a shelf full of diabetic jam (never really liked jam anyway). So, I'm going to write a letter to the GMs of all the Supermarkets, asking why they don't make more provision for those who wish to cut down on their sugar intake.

G

[joe beets]

Jeez, screw the tonic, it's the gin that'll kill ya.

jb

[lopburi3]

The post that the gin will kill you first is probably true.

I believe there is a serious issue with shelf life for sugar substitute drinks and this is greatly compounded in hot climates such as Thailand. But I have not checked recently so they may have overcome them. As this is a sugar producing and controlled price (below overseas market cost) country do not see manufacturers likely to be in favor of any change.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Wasn't there an article in the news about how the sweetner aspartame - which is found in almost all low-cal drinks - was linked to cancer?

You better find something you like that goes well with soda...

[Ajarn]

Nothing at Villa today, although a shelf full of diabetic jam (never really liked jam anyway).

I'll betcha' that 'diabetic jam' isn't for diabetics.. The only difference is the substitution of fructose for glucose. Sugar is sugar, no matter what you call it.

I do prefer that jam because I think it tastes more natural.

[PeaceBlondie]

Wasn't there an article in the news about how the sweetner aspartame - which is found in almost all low-cal drinks - was linked to cancer?

You better find something you like that goes well with soda...

That's the old wives' tale, or the young bachelor's tale, but where's the proof? I have been drinking about 12 cans of artificially sweetened colas for over 20 years, and have yet 2 notis anyyytingg wrongg wit me spellink.

What's that website like 'skypes' or 'skopes' that kenkaniff swears by, that debunks urban myths and rural legends?

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Wasn't there an article in the news about how the sweetner aspartame - which is found in almost all low-cal drinks - was linked to cancer?

You better find something you like that goes well with soda...

That's the old wives' tale, or the young bachelor's tale, but where's the proof? I have been drinking about 12 cans of artificially sweetened colas for over 20 years, and have yet 2 notis anyyytingg wrongg wit me spellink.

What's that website like 'skypes' or 'skopes' that kenkaniff swears by, that debunks urban myths and rural legends?

It was in the Daily Mail - a reputable British Newspaper. It was a couple of months ago. Try googling it and see if you get anything.

I know you don't have too wide a choice of food, and I don't want to limit your drink choice too.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Wasn't there an article in the news about how the sweetner aspartame - which is found in almost all low-cal drinks - was linked to cancer?

You better find something you like that goes well with soda...

That's the old wives' tale, or the young bachelor's tale, but where's the proof? I have been drinking about 12 cans of artificially sweetened colas for over 20 years, and have yet 2 notis anyyytingg wrongg wit me spellink.

What's that website like 'skypes' or 'skopes' that kenkaniff swears by, that debunks urban myths and rural legends?

It was in the Daily Mail - a reputable British Newspaper. It was a couple of months ago. Try googling it and see if you get anything.

I know you don't have too wide a choice of food, and I don't want to limit your drink choice too.

Actually, I just read you need to drink about 2000 cans a day to be at risk. But all that liquid would turn your brain to mush way before then

[Rinrada]

What ever you do dont skip out on your G&T...the Quinine in the tonic gives you added protection again the most deadly route to death in the tropics...Malaria... compliements of our little mozzie friends.

Water is for making the tea-Cha lon (nam-cha) Beer is for refreshing the throat,Whisky is drunk after the sun has gone "down-sundowner" but "Ginkers"whatever mix-pink -soda -sloe-bombay etc is for health...(milk,coke,squashes,suger drinks are only for kids)

so..Right-ho Carruthers spot of tiffin....anyone

G. and T. anyone?...gotta get it right....

The Gin and Tonic

Broadly, there are two ways of making a G and T...... This is the correct one.

Preamble.

The term gin and tonic is something of an understatement. A gin and tonic occurs when the following elements coincide:

1. The right glass (q.v.);

2. The right quantity of gin (q.v.);

3. A correctly judged slice of lemon (q.v.);

4. The correct quantity of ice (q.v.);

5. The right quantity of tonic (q.v.);

6. The correct temperature distribution throughout the above (q.v.);

7. The total absence of a stupid miniature parasol made out of matchwood and purple crepe paper.

1. Glass Choice.

This ultimately will be intensely personal. Be guided by two rules. Firstly, frosted or patterned glass is fine and is a matter for you and your conscience. Decoration however, if you insist on it, must be confined to the outside of the glass. Any deviation from absolute smoothness on the inside is going to cause unnecessary effervescence of the tonic and over rapid deterioration of the drink's quality. For this reason it is also wise to be very wary of any glass that has been through the dishwasher a few times.

Choose your glass, know it, and don't let anyone else subject it to uncontrolled cleaning methods. Secondly, (and this is going to seem obvious to a lot of people, but its importance cannot be overemphasised) the glass must not on any account be too big.

A capacity of 250ml is perfect, although 300ml is tolerable. We will see why.

2. The Right Quantity of Gin.

We are discussing here the right quantity of gin. We are not discussing a quantity of 'gin'. 'Gin' is sold in shops and supermarkets as gin, but can be spotted by an identification on the label which reads "ALC. BY VOL. 37.5%". This is 'gin'. What you are looking for is gin, a wholly different fluid whose label contains the information "ALC. BY VOL. 47.3%".

The right quantity of gin is 70 to 75ml.

Pour this quantity, at drinks-cabinet ambient (19°C) into the glass.

3. A Correctly Judged Slice of Lemon.

The lemon is cut to a thickness of 5mm, or as near as you can judge it. Thicker and you are wasting it; thinner and juice delivery will have dwindled significantly by the end of the drink. If in doubt however, err on the thick side. Lemons are cheap, your fingers aren't. [Tip: Always keep your lemon supply in the fridge. The lemons will stay fresher longer, be easier to slice and at no warmer than 4°C, the slice will help maintain the delicate equilibrium of the temperature system that you are in the process of constructing.] Cut a slice from the lemon now, and put it in the glass. In the glass. Not split, and hung uselessly over the rim. Thank you.

4. The Correct Quantity of Ice.

One ice cube will suffice. You are not trying to sink the Titanic. An ice cube is a crude but effective coolness delivery system whose negative side effect is that of also being a crude but effective water delivery system. Water dilutes. To get the best of this trade off, we obviously want as much coolness in as little water as is practicable. The experimentally confirmed optimum is a 25ml ice cube at -12°C. At this temperature the ice is recognisably 'sticky' to the touch, and makes a satisfying 'crack' during the implementation of stage 5 (below).

5. The Right Quantity of Tonic.

Tonic comes in yellow labelled bottles or cans, and is found in the top compartment of your fridge. It has been there for at least three days, and has stabilised to a temperature of no more than 2°C. The right quantity of tonic is that amount which fills the remaining capacity of the glass. It is now evident as to why on no account can the glass size be allowed to stray too far upwards. Tonic also dilutes. Add the right quantity of tonic.

Epilogue.

You have followed these simple directions… and you have created a drink as near to perfection (q.v.) as nature will allow. Sip and savour

[joe beets]

^

Wasn't there an article in the news about how the sweetner aspartame - which is found in almost all low-cal drinks - was linked to cancer?

You better find something you like that goes well with soda...

That's the old wives' tale, or the young bachelor's tale, but where's the proof? I have been drinking about 12 cans of artificially sweetened colas for over 20 years, and have yet 2 notis anyyytingg wrongg wit me spellink.

What's that website like 'skypes' or 'skopes' that kenkaniff swears by, that debunks urban myths and rural legends?

http://www.snopes.com

Better than gin.

Oh yeah, to yhe OP, I wasn't kidding about the gin killing you.

Diabetes and alcohol do not mix well at all.

If your doctor didn't tell you that, get a new doctor.

jb

[PeaceBlondie]

Whether I've been a heavy social drinker or a tee-totaller or in between, it has never ceased to amaze me that otherwise intelligent gentlemen anasthetize their brain cells and all other body cells with a toxin. Drinking alcohol kills. Alcohol cannot be healthy.

My beloved aspartame, on the other hand, gets a clean bill of health on skypes.com. Here's a quote from the website that I like, that applies to all the conspiracy theories about the 9/11 disaster being just an imagination of your figment: "There is so much scientific untruth in it, it’s scary. Be careful, because others know how to manipulate you by this. Just because something is beyond your comprehension doesn’t mean it is scientific."

[BKKdreaming]

I have not seem anything but Coke lite and Pepsi Max,

a couple years ago there was Diet Pepsi ,

would love a sugar free lemon-lime 7-up type drink but never saw it in Thailand.

I just drink lots of water.......