Before surgery, I was your typical Mountain Dew addled computer geek. It really wouldn't take much for me to drink a six-pack of sodas per day. Then I became diabetic and swapped to diet Mt Dew (with no real hesitation at all). After a couple of weeks, I couldn't even stand non-diet soda (too sweet).

When I decided to get surgery, I really did go "cold turkey" and I didn't miss sodas at all because of the sheer determination to have the surgery and get my life back on track.

Flash forward to now, almost 6 months after surgery.

I haven't had caffeine in almost 8 months. That being said, I'm now completely sick and tired of everything between tea, to kool-aids, to Protein shakes to... well, everything that I've been drinking exclusively for the last six months. Never been a coffee guy, so at least I don't have the Starbucks monkey on my back...

This morning, sitting at work, I realized that I was out of little singles packs of Kool-Aid, really didn't want a Protein shake, or Water either. I *know* that I can't tolerate carbonated soda, but I looked in the drawer and found the bottles of Sodastream diet syrups. I decided to make a half-dosed bottle (1/4 cap with 16 oz water and ice) and tolerated it just fine.

I had been missing the flavor, not really the carbonation, and the first caffeine after 8 months must be what a crack addict feels like as well.

All things in moderation, I get it, but I'm just trying to look for alternatives to drink (not really a plain water drinker) at this point and I hope I'm not screwing up...

Any opinions on using said syrups in moderation?

Wayne

I have no experience with sodastream, but have you looked into the Crystal Light, Mio, Dasani etc... Water enhancers?

They're all sugar free and there are TONS of flavors to choose from (make sure to pay attention to those "energy" versions with caffeine).

I have a whole shelf in my pantry for my selection, as I buy pretty much any new flavor I find.

My favorites are funny enough the generic store brand ones from Kroger. Orange Tangerine tastes just like I remember Orange soda to taste and the Raspberry Black Tea reminds me of a good iced tea (without caffeine of course).