Great Value Drink Mix

Once I accepted observation #3 — Skinny people drink water—  I was left with the overwhelming task of finding a substitute for my beloved sugar sweetened beverage of choice, Kool-Aid.  With a closed mind and tight purse strings, I braved the beverage aisle for something to quench my thrust without all the empty calories.

Diet soda — something that  I viewed as a beverage for diabetics — was first at bat. The after-taste was too over powering, though. I could not force myself to get past the after-taste and eventually resorted to drinking water during the day and having Kool-Aid only with dinner.

My saving grace

A girl friend of mine introduced me to flavored water. She explained how she doesn’t drink Crystal Light because of its after taste.  Instead, she purchased a generic brand of the low calorie powered drink mix and enjoyed it.

About a week later, I was completely floored when she brought me a pack and I saw that it was a Walmart brand product.  Though I was reluctant, I was eager for a drink that didn’t leave me with the dreaded aspartame after-taste.  After she gave me the rundown of the different flavors they had to offer, I decide to give it a try. From her research, the palette approved flavors are listed below for your reference.

• Grape
• Fruit punch
• Cherry Limeade
• Cherry

I was amazed! It was as sweet as my mommy’s Kool-Aid with no after taste and only five calories. An added bonus was my 7 year old daughter not tasting any difference!

Putting sugar-free to the test

Though I am sure you are ready to run out to Walmart to purchase “Great Value Drink Mix”,  I have to give you the results of my Millie Vanilli tasting.  This tasting took place during a girls-night-in with my friends and their daughters, ages 7-10.

As usual, the kids asked for a Capri Sun to quench their thirst, but this time we said no and that I would fix them some kool-aid. I had the kids leave the room so they couldn’t see the drink being prepared.

I made a gallon of fruit punch favored water and served it up to the girls. After a minute or so, I asked how it was and got a resounding, “Good!”  About 10 minutes later the girls all came back for seconds! Success!

Have you gotten away from drinks with sugar in them? How did you do it?