soda

7 Soda Alternatives That Won't Bust Your Wallet — Or Your Waistline

Ashley Eneriz — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 09:30:30 +0000

One thing that is hard to give up is soda — but for your health, and the health of your wallet, you really should try. Each time you go out to eat, a soda will add about $3 on your bill per person. In 2012, U.S. households spent $850 a year on soft drinks alone.

As far as health disadvantages, drinking soda regularly can increase belly fat, decrease bone strength, and can increase cavities and gum disease. Soda has been linked to diabetes, obesity, cancer, and high blood pressure. Not only are these health issues scary, but they are also very costly to manage. Don't think that switching to diet will help you out either, since diet soda can be even worse for you with its artificial sweeteners.

Kicking your soda habit is the best thing to do for your health and wallet, but that is definitely easier said than done. Here are some frugal ways to satisfy your soda craving without risking your health.

1. Kombucha

If you have never had kombucha, then prepare yourself for a very strong drink. I could not take more than three sips of my first kombucha, but now I actually enjoy certain flavors, like Kevita's Mojita Lime Mint Coconut. Not only can kombucha satisfy your soda craving, but it can also aid in digestion because it is full of healthy bacteria. Kombucha is not the cheapest alternative to soda, unless you make your own. Buy a few when there is a coupon or when there is an iBotta offer.

2. Healthier, Homemade Sprite

You can make your own healthier soda by mixing sparkling water, a squeeze of lemon and lime juice, and stevia (or your favorite sweetener) to taste. In my opinion, it tastes very similar to Sprite, but much more refreshing. Obviously if you are drinking soda all day, every day, you will need to allow your taste buds time to adjust.

3. Other Healthy Soda Recipes

If Sprite is not your favorite soda, then here are a few other mixes to try:

Root beer: Mix sparkling water with a few drops of root beer extract (use organic if you want to avoid chemicals), and sweetener to taste.
Mountain Dew: Mix two cups of sparkling water with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon of grated ginger, and sweetener to taste. If you enjoy this drink, try increasing the amount of apple cider vinegar over time to increase your health benefits. Apple cider vinegar can help prevent diabetes, lower cholesterol, and give you an extra energy boost.
Cherry-vanilla: Heat two cups of cherry juice with one vanilla bean (split the bean and scrape out the seeds and pod) and one cup of sweetener of your choice (use less for stevia extract).
Strawberry: Blend one cup of strawberries with ¼ cup of honey (or sweetener of your choice). Put two tablespoons of this mixture into a cup and pour sparkling water on top. Use frozen strawberries for a colder drink.

4. Juice and Seltzer

Another easy alternative to soda is mixing one part juice to two parts seltzer water. Use juices that are 100% juice. Pure pomegranate and cherry juice will give your soda an extra health boost.

5. Flavored Sparkling Water to Go

It is not always convenient to make your own soda, especially if you are traveling. Flavored sparkling water will give you the carbonation and sweetness you are craving. My favorite is the coconut flavored La Croix because when it is really cold, it reminds me of a Coke. Check the labels on sparkling water and make sure that the ingredients are only water and flavoring. Avoid any that have sugar or artificial sweeteners in them.

If you need a soda alternative that has caffeine, then the Bai waters are tasty and have as much caffeine as tea. Costco regularly has coupons for Bai water.

6. Green Tea

If you drink soda strictly for caffeine reasons, try going with unsweetened green tea. It will be a big switch on your taste buds at first, but the caffeine from green tea is a little gentler on the system compared to soda and coffee. Green tea is also full of antioxidants and can reduce your cancer risk. The easiest way to get green tea on the go is to pop a tea bag into a water bottle and let it sit for about 20–30 minutes.

7. Spruce Up Your Water

Perhaps you are continually reaching for soda to quench your thirst. Many people will avoid water because they find the taste boring. Try adding fresh cut up fruit or vegetables to make your water have more flavor. Some options to try are cucumbers, strawberries, lemon, lime, oranges, grapefruit, and mint. Mint water can help promote your digestion and reduce inflammation.

Tips to Kick the Soda Habit for Good

When you are trying to kick your soda habit, you don't want to just replace it with another bad habit. For example, if you use five cups of soda to get you through the day, then switching to five cups of coffee is not going to do anything for your budget or health.

The best thing to do is to try to change your taste buds and decrease your cravings. For example, if you drink three cups of soda a day, try replacing one cup with just plain water, and the other two cups with one of the healthier alternatives.

If you are used to having a big cup of soda always at your hand, then put ice water in the same type of cup. You will reach for the water out of habit, and it will take a few days to accept the water as a suitable substitute. Prepare yourself for a few days of withdrawal headaches, knowing that these get worse before they get better.

What are your favorite alternatives to soda?

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Get Free Stuff by Eating Cereal, Drinking Soda, and Watching TV

Kim Owens — Tue, 05 May 2015 21:00:21 +0000

How would you like to get free stuff for eating cereal, drinking soda, and watching TV? Sounds like fun (and also a bit couch potato-y), right? Well, the four companies listed below will help you do just that. If you're looking for low energy ways to earn free rewards through programs that give you stuff for doing what you already do, put down the cereal bowl for a minute and check out these four programs.

Kellogg's Family Rewards Program

While Kellogg's sells more than cereal, most of us associate it with Frosted Flakes and Tony the Tiger — "They're Grrrrrreat!" Even better, Kellogg's also rewards loyal customers with free stuff.

By joining the Kellogg's Family Rewards program, members collect points that can be redeemed for rewards, including high value coupons, magazines, toys, and gift cards for retailers like Best Buy, Old Navy, Applebee's, Starbucks, and more. Just buy what you usually do and let the points add up.

When selecting a product, simply look for the Kellogg's Family Rewards logo on the package. That logo indicates there is a code (or codes) inside. Take that code and enter it online to get your points. The number of points earned per product varies.

Kellogg's also offers bonus code opportunities where members don't have to purchase anything.These codes are sent out via e-mail or social media, or can be found online by doing a search for "Kellogg's Rewards codes." Members can also earn bonus points by purchasing specific products promoted by Kellogg's.

Is it worth it?

Well, if I were going to purchase the product anyway, and it was on sale (and I had a coupon), I would totally take a few seconds to enter my point codes to earn a few free gift cards. Free is free, my friends.

Drink Soda. Get Free Stuff. Cool.

Even if you don't drink soda, you're sure to have indulged in a Coke or Pepsi product at least a few times in your life. If so, have you thought about joining one or both of their rewards programs?

My Coke Rewards

The My Coke Rewards program premiered in 2006, and was revamped in January of 2015. Similar to many programs, people who join My Coke Rewards earn freebies by collecting points and redeeming them. Points are earned by looking for codes which are located on Coke products (i.e. underneath bottle caps) and entering them in the online rewards portal. Coke has also introduced a tiered program where members can achieve Bronze, Silver, or Gold level by completing "status" activities such as tweeting and other social media related tasks. Each tier offers perks like bonus points and unlocks different rewards, such as gift cards to retailers like Target and Walmart, and products like Keurig coffee machines.

Personally, I rarely drink soda, but I still drink a lot of bottled water. I won't be a fast points earner, but looking under the caps and entering codes in exchange for free gift cards a few times a year is low-effort enough for me to participate.

Pepsi Experience Points

The Pepsi Experience Points program is different than My Coke Rewards in that members don't have to purchase anything to earn rewards. There are no codes on caps or packages to look for to get points. Instead, the Pepsi program revolves around members participating in activities Pepsi sponsors or wants to promote. Activities include reading targeted articles, checking out specific websites, watching videos, tweeting, liking Facebook pages, and so on.

The reward options are different as well, focusing more on logo-stamped merchandise such as camping chairs, baseball caps, and sweepstakes entries. Their gift card options are limited, too (as of this writing there were only two gift cards available). Still, points are easy to accrue since everything is done online. It can feel like Pepsi is paying you in points in exchange for free promotion… which is basically what it is. However, if you don't mind, free stuff could be in your future.

Watching TV Just (Sorta) Got Profitable With Verizon FIOS

Verizon FIOS has a rewards program where customers can earn free stuff like Starbucks and Visa gift cards. While this is not a reason to go out and sign up with Verizon or switch companies, it's definitely a reason to log into your account once a month and spend a minute looking around after paying your bill.

The Verizon My Rewards+ program is similar to the above programs in that it is a points for rewards venture. Sample activities include checking out a Verizon product demo, completing your profile, liking them on social media, enrolling in auto pay, and so on. Of course, the big point earning opportunities come if you do things like add or upgrade services (never gonna happen!).

Each month when your bill arrives, there's a reminder to check out the rewards program. Take a moment and log on. It's an easy way to earn a free gift card or two this year. To be fair, I'm not sure a couple of free gift cards a year is a fair trade given the cost of cable (from any provider!). But hey, at least with Verizon FIOS, I get to enjoy a free Starbucks latte while watching my favorite shows.

So, there you have it. Four programs where you can earn free stuff just for doing what you already do. If you're already a consumer of these products, earning free gift cards and other rewards is easy to do.

Do you participate in any of these or similar programs? Let me know in the comments below.

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This article is from Kim Owens of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

The 6 Most Surprisingly Unhealthy Beverages

Tara Struyk — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 21:00:05 +0000

Think what you're eating is what matters most in your diet? Maybe it's what you're washing it all down with that's really the problem. According to statistics compiled by the Harvard School of Public Health, the rising consumption of sugary drinks is a major contributor to obesity in the United States. In fact, for about 25% of Americans, these drinks contribute 200 or more calories to their diet each day. (See also: 22 Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda)

Of course, the obvious culprit is soda (or "pop," depending on where you live). Fizzy, sugary drinks are also the indulgence that get vilified the most in the press and nutritional publications. Unfortunately, that isn't the only unhealthy drink you should be avoiding. Check out these six surprisingly unhealthy beverages you may have overlooked.

1. Rice Milk

Cow's milk often gets a bad rap, whether for its saturated fat content, or the hormones that are too often fed to milking cows, or to the conditions in which those cows produce their milk. And while those may all be valid concerns, many milk substitutes have problems of their own. Rice milk, in particular, is essentially just starchy water; if it isn't fortified, it provides virtually nothing in the way of protein or vitamins. Much like soda, rice milk only promises empty calories.

2. Smoothies

When it comes to having a refreshing summer treat, a smoothie seems like a good bet. But you might be better off getting the ice cream. Because let's face it: That's what you really want anyway, and you probably won't be any worse off for it.

Smoothies tend to start out as being pretty healthy. They often contain yogurt and fruit. But then, many smoothie and drink chains add sugar, protein powders, juice, and ice cream, ratcheting up the calories to as many as 500 per cup. That said, a few chains do make healthy, relatively low calorie smoothies. Just check the nutritional information rather than assuming that a smoothie is a health food. Or take control of what's in your smoothie by making your own at home.

3. Vitamin Water

Vitamins and water. It sounds like a good combo, right? After all, our bodies need both. But before you pop the cap on one of these drinks, take a look at the label. Sure, there are plenty of vitamins, as promised. But there's also a lot of sugar. About 120 calories' worth in a typical bottle. That's less than what you'll find in the same about of soda, but not by much. And as for vitamins, well, even the leading vitamin water producer says they probably won't do you much good. Is it any wonder vitamin waters are hawked by major soft drink companies like Coca Cola?

4. Iced Tea

Tea has tons of health benefits, but when it's brewed and bottled and sold as iced tea, its health benefits get a little murky.

Most people drink what those in Southern United States call "sweet tea." According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Nutrient Database, a 12-ounce glass of iced sweet tea is almost entirely made of water and carbohydrates, with 136 calories, no fat, fiber, or protein, and 32 grams of sugar. Compare that to a typical can of soda, which has about 150 calories. Sure, there are some antioxidants in that tea, but in bottled varieties, those levels are often pretty low. In other words, iced tea isn't much better than soda unless you make your own and keep sugar to a minimum.

5. Fruit Juice

A glass of fruit juice has long been represented on the USDA's Food Guide as a serving of fruit. Unfortunately, more recent research has found that while 100% fruit juice is made of fruit, it doesn't act like fruit in our bodies. Juice does include some vitamins and minerals, but it lacks whole fruit's fiber, which is what helps all the sugar in fruit enter our bloodstream at a slower rate. Plus, many fruit juices are as sugary as soft drinks. In small quantities, the vitamins in juice make it a little healthier than soda, but not by much.

6. Diet Soda

If you're a diet soda lover, you probably know it isn't healthy for you, exactly, but you may assume think it's a cut above sugar-sweetened fizzy drinks. Unfortunately, calorie-free diet drinks aren't free of health consequences. According to a 2008 University of Minnesota study, just one diet soda a day is linked to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. A University of Texas Health Science Center study found that downing two or more cans of diet soda per day increased people's waistlines by 500%. Diet soda consumption has even been linked to kidney problems and acid reflux.

The bottom line? Many drinks that are marketed as being healthy — or healthier — are just as bad for your health as soda.

Any other surprisingly unhealthy beverages? Please share in comments!

This article is from Tara Struyk of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

2 Juices That Are Surprisingly Bad for You (and 5 to Drink Instead)

Ashley Marcin — Mon, 03 Mar 2014 10:36:10 +0000

Is juice good or bad for you? This question is not so easy to answer, as it depends on a number of factors. Is the juice store-bought or homemade? Is it fruit or vegetable? Is there any added sugar or salt? Is it cold-pressed or from concentrate? Is it organic or conventional? The list goes on. (See also: How to Juice on a Budget)

Good, bad, or ugly, I think we can all agree that eating whole foods over processed counterparts is best. Fruits and vegetables are whole foods. When they're juiced at home, they contain all their nutrients in an easily absorbable form — minus the fiber, which gives the digestive system a break.

Whatever your stance in the debate, it's smart to choose lower glycemic fruits and vegetables for juicing. Strangely enough, a glass of 100% pure fruit juice can contain more calories than is in the same amount of soda. Juice is obviously the better choice between the two, but it's smart to be discerning with all beverages so those natural sugars don't skyrocket your daily caloric intake. (See also: 5 Best Juicers)

First up are a couple of juices to skip, depending on your health needs.

Juices to Avoid

There are a few select juices that can actually be bad for you beyond sugar and extra calories. Bad for some of you, that is. So, it's important to be aware of situations which might make that "healthful" glass more harmful than helpful.

1. Grapefruit Juice

A freshly squeezed glass of grapefruit juice can be a refreshing morning treat bursting with vitamin C. However, if you're on certain medications for lowering cholesterol or treating depression, for example, you should pass. Studies have shown that taking these medications and drinking grapefruit juice can cause an increase in the drug's potency. Some interactions are insignificant, while others could prove fatal. Be sure to chat with your doctor or pharmacist if you have concerns.

2. Leafy Green Juices

Whether it's spinach, kale, or some other dark, leafy green juice, individuals taking blood thinners like Coumadin should beware. To get enough juice from these vegetables, you must use large quantities, which concentrates the vitamin K, a natural coagulant. In general, it's best to check with your doctor before making drastic dietary changes (like juicing, going on salad kick, or becoming vegetarian) that could work against the medication.

Good for You Juices

With those special cases out of the way, let’s look at five juices that really are good for you.

1. Carrot Juice

When I started drinking juices, I opted to ease into vegetable territory by trying carrots, which are naturally quite sweet and palatable. If your liver is in need of a cleanse, carrot juice might do the trick with its high concentration of detoxifying vitamin A.

2. Beet Juice

If you're training for a marathon or other endurance event, beet juice could be your secret weapon. Studies have shown this deep magenta beverage can actually improve stamina when taken regularly. Other boasting points include lowering inflammation and even fighting free radicals. I actually enjoy a blend of homemade carrot and beet juice. (See also: Foods You Should Add to Your Diet)

3. Pomegranate Juice

Though still high in sugar and, therefore, calories, pomegranate juice delivers quite a punch when it comes to those vital antioxidants, especially polyphenols. Though the jury is still out on whether pomegranate juice can lower cholesterol, what researchers do agree upon is its ability to "block or slow the buildup of cholesterol in [the] arteries."

4. Tomato Juice

I think we've all heard by now that tomatoes are particularly rich in the antioxidant lycopene, which has been shown to lower cancer risk. Strangely enough, it's the processed tomato products that concentrate the health benefits best. When sipping store-bought tomato juice, choose varieties that are low in sodium — and skip the fruit blends entirely. (See also: 15 Tasty Ways to Enjoy Tomato Juice)

5. Wheatgrass Juice

Long extolled for its many health claims — from curing constipation to reducing high blood pressure to lessening acne scars — wheatgrass juice is one of the best sources of chlorophyll available to us. Better yet? You may only need a shot of the stuff to see a boost.

Do you juice? What are your favorites?

This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Unexpected, Delicious Drinks You Can Make at Home

Meg Favreau — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 10:36:42 +0000

We frugal types appear to be a drink-obsessed people. We're constantly rambling on and on about lattes, cocktails, and soda, and how much one can save by avoiding these wallet-draining beverages — "Avoid the coffee shop! Don't get a drink with dinner!" we cry.

But we all have our indulgences — drinks we enjoy that we only have when we're out, or that we think are simply too difficult to prepare on our own. The truth is, many of these beverages are inexpensive and easy (or at least fun) to make at home. Here are 10 tasty beverages to try. (See also: 8 Natural Ways to Make Water More Flavorful)

1. Boba Tea

Also known as bubble tea, this drink, originally from Taiwan, features tapioca pearls mixed with some combination of milk, juice, and/or iced tea. The Kitchn has a recipe for how to make boba tea, and you can buy the tapioca pearls inexpensively on Amazon or at Asian markets.

2. Mango Lassi

These sweet mango-yogurt smoothies are a staple at Indian restaurants. When I discovered in high school that I could make them at home, I went on an absolute tear of lassi drinking. Simply Recipes has a lovely mango lassi recipe.

3. Frappuccino

Over at Squakfox, Kerry has a recipe for making a Starbucks-style Frappuccino — for a mere $.32 a serving!

4. Infused Liquor

With their house-infused blood-orange bourbon and lavender simple syrup, the recipes from fancy cocktail bars can seem more than a little intimidating. But most of these precious ingredients are actually quite easy to make. Check out my guide to infusing alcohol, About.com's infused simple syrup recipes, or this Chow's maraschino cherries recipe.

5. Agua Fresca

My favorite fish taco place always has a big, delicious vat of agua fresca on the weekends — last time I went, it was cucumber-spinach. These sweet, refreshing Mexican drinks are super simple to make on your own. Try this basic watermelon or cantaloupe agua fresca, a cucumber-lime-mint agua fresca, or this agua de tamarindo.

6. Chai

I'm not talking about buying a box of that coffeehouse-mimicing stuff (as delicious as it may be), I'm talking about making your own chai tea from scratch. The Kitchn has a nice chai recipe.

7. Soda

There are several ways to make soda or soda-like drinks, ranging from the fast and healthy (when I was a kid, my mom often served "healthy soda" — a 50/50 mix of orange juice and sparkling water), to concoctions that require fermenting yeast (and, yeah, a heaping helping of sugar). Check out my article on making your own soda for all the details.

8. Espresso

OK, I'm not suggesting that you get a home espresso machine (although if you drink a lot of it, that can be a frugal choice). But a stovetop espresso maker might be just what you need. The coffee isn't exactly the same as coffee shop espresso, but this is an easy and inexpensive way to make a strong brew.

9. Thai Iced Tea and Coffee

Caffeinated, sweet, and oh-so-delicious, I love getting one of these drinks when I go out for Thai food. You can, however, totally make 'em at home. Try this recipe for easy Thai iced coffee or Thai tea.

10. Horchata

Thinking about this tasty, rice-based Mexican beverage always gets that darn Vampire Weekend song stuck in my head. I don't even know the whole song, just the phrase "in December, drinking horchata" because my friend used to sing it over and over. Anyway, deity of all things sweet David Lebovitz has a lovely horchata recipe.

What are your favorite drinks to make at home?

This article is from Meg Favreau of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

22 Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda

Elizabeth Lang — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:36:40 +0000

We all know that drinking soda isn't good for us. We know that it would be better for our health if instead we drank [insert pretty much any other beverage choice here — even beer!]. But there's just something about soda that keeps drawing us back. Whether you call it "soda," "pop," "soda pop," "Coke," or something else entirely, it's a good idea to stop drinking it once and for all. Here's why.

Financial Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda

If saving money motivates you to kick a bad habit, here are the top three financial reasons to quit drinking soda.

1. The out of pocket cost of drinking pop adds up.

The average American drinks 216 liters (that's 7304 ounces, or about 365 20-ounce bottles) a year. If you purchased your soda only at a vending machine, that's about $550/ year. If, instead, you put this into a retirement account for 30 years at a 7% interest rate compounded annually, you'd have about $60,000. Even if you buy your soda at the grocery store for 40 cents a can, that's still $243 per year and over $26,000 over 30 years.

2. You'll make poorer financial decisions by drinking diet soda.

A research study looking at decision making after drinking soda found that "The sugar-free soda drinkers were more likely to choose the immediate reward, even though it was less money and not the best overall decision. "

3. The long term health consequences lead to high medical expenses.

I've listed numerous health reasons to not drink soda pop below — if you have even one of these health problems because of (or it's exacerbated by) drinking soda, your long-term medical costs will skyrocket. (See also: 5 Places to Check Out Medical Care for the Uninsured)

Health Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda

Here are just a few of the scientifically researched reasons to kick the habit.

4. Soda increases your blood pressure.

A March 2011 study links soda consumption to higher blood pressure.

5. Soda destroys your teeth.

In case your dentist hadn't told you, between the sugar and the acidity, pop is terrible for your teeth.

6. It contains an ingredient banned in over 100 countries.

About 10% of soda flavors contain BVO, or brominated vegetable oil, which is banned by the World Health organization and 100 countries.

7. It makes you fat.

Calories from drinks including soda make up over 20% of the total daily calories consumed by Americans, according to a 2004 article in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (as cited by WebMD).

8. It may lead to diabetes.

Non-diet soft drinks contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Even if you drink diet, you may not be in the clear (see the study published by the American Heart Association discussed below).

9. It may lead to heart disease.

According to a study published by the American Heart Association, "Drinking as little as one can of soda a day — regular or diet — is associated with a 48% increased risk of metabolic syndrome, a key predecessor of heart disease and diabetes."

10. Soda consumption is linked to osteoporosis.

While researchers aren't sure of the precise reason, people who drink pop are more likely to have osteoporosis.

11. Drinking cola can increase your risk of kidney stones.

A study published in Epidemiology found that "Drinking 2 or more colas per day was associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease."

12. Soda can cause heartburn.

It shouldn't surprise you that highly acidic sodas can lead to heartburn.

13. It's linked with liver problems.

A study found that people with liver problems are also more likely to drink soda.

14. Your soda likely either contains aspartame or high fructose corn syrup.

If you drink diet soda, your pop has some sort of artificial sweetener. If you drink full-calorie soda, chances are it has high fructose corn syrup. There are long debates about these ingredients and studies are not entirely conclusive, but both ingredients are artificial and are likely not good for you.

Environmental Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda

Recycling your pop can or bottle isn't enough to prevent harm to the environment, as soda destroys the planet in numerous other ways.

15. It can take up to 132 gallons of water to produce a 2-liter bottle of soda.

The 132 gallon/2-liter bottle figure includes the water it takes to grow ingredients, and according to a Wall Street Journal article, Coke says that it takes about 1 gallon to make a 2-liter bottle. Chances are the number is somewhere in between. Either way, that's a lot of water.

16. That water has to come from somewhere.

Since a Coca-Cola plant was opened in northern India, the water levels have fallen 18 feet in the surrounding area, and the plant was blamed for it.

17. And the ingredients in the soda have to go somewhere.

According to a German report, the artificial ingredients in soda don't get fully removed by sewage treatment facilities, and those ingredients may end up downstream and even in our drinking water.

18. Be it glass, aluminum, or plastic, all bottles have their environmental costs.

Glass bottles, even if reused, take a lot more fuel to transport. Aluminum cans are only partially recycled, and the mining of aluminum has horrific environmental consequences. And just like bottled water, plastic bottled soda requires an enormous amount of oil to produce.

19. Transportation of soda pop requires a lot of fuel.

Exact figures about how much fuel it takes to transport soda are not evident — but that soda has to get from the factory to the store to your house somehow. And that requires a lot of fuel.

Social Reasons to Stop Drinking Soda

And if the financial, environmental, and health reasons weren't enough to convince you to give up soda, these social reasons may be strong enough for you to make a new resolution.

20. In some countries, soda contains pesticides.

You might consider this a health or environmental reason, but it seems to me that it's socially completely unjust to produce a healthier product for some countries than others. The Center for Science and the Environment found "high levels of toxic pesticides and insecticides, high enough to cause cancer, damage to the nervous and reproductive systems, birth defects and severe disruption of the immune system" in soda manufactured by Coke and Pepsi in India.

21. The rest of the world doesn't drink much soda.

Take a look at this soft drink consumption chart. Ireland is the next lowest soda-consuming country, and they consume roughly half the amount that Americans do.

22. It's just not that cool.

While I have no hard data to back it up, it seems that drinking pop has lost the "cool" factor it tries so hard to market. I asked several friends why they drink soda, and their responses included "for the caffeine," "I like the taste," and "it's the cheapest drink on the menu at restaurants." None of them thought that drinking soda was particularly cool and instead pointed to numerous other drinks that have a much cooler image: tea, coffee, probiotic drinks, and kombucha.

Soda Alternatives

So if you stop drinking soda, what should you drink instead?

Tap water is most cost-conscious and healthiest choice that has the least environmental and social impact. Make it easier to drink by drinking from an eco-friendly water bottle. (I prefer stainless steel water bottles or glass water bottles.) I also like to add a few slices of orange, lemon, or fresh mint leaves to my tap water for a tasty alternative.

If tap water isn't your thing here are some better options depending on the time of day:

If you're looking for a morning caffeinated substitute, try coffee or tea.
At lunch time, try homemade lemonade or iced tea.
In the afternoon, decaf tea or freshly squeezed or locally sourced fruit juices are delicious.
In the evening, why not opt for a cheap beer or a glass of wine? (But remember to drink responsibly.)

Do you drink soda? What would convince you to give it up?

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This article is from Elizabeth Lang of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How Water Can Save You $977 a Year

Paul Michael — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:00:06 +0000

Most of us eat out at least once a week. In fact, renowned culinary experts Zagat recently announced that although we are dining out less as a nation (due to the poor economy) we are still eating out an average of 3.1 times per week. That's the average of course, some of us are eating out daily. (See also: A Cheapskate's Guide to Eating Out)

And when we eat out, be it at a fast food restaurant or something more refined, we drink soda. Oh, how we drink soda. As a nation, we can't get enough of it. According to Dr. Oz:

53 million Americans drink at least one soda a day, and we spent $70 billion last year on soda.

That got me thinking. How much would we save, on average, if we substituted tap water (not bottled, please) for soda every time we ate out. Every restaurant, fast food or otherwise, has given me free water with my meal when I ask for it. And remember, I'm not talking about substituting every single soda we drink — just the ones that accompany the meals we eat away from home.

First, let's review the numbers we're dealing with.

We already know that we eat out 3.1 times per week. Now take the average family size, which according to 2009 US Census data is 3.19 people. And, as we're playing with averages, what's the median cost of a soda?

Well, the cost of soda is obviously going to change depending on where you live and where you eat. A glass of soda at a high end restaurant in New York is not going to be the meager $1 McDonald's charges (although that's still a huge mark-up). I've paid almost $5 for a glass of Coke in a trendy gastro-pub. But I did some digging and found out that there is generally a recommended price for a 20oz soda with free refills. That price is $1.75 plus tax. So, let's round that up to $1.90.

Here's the math:

We eat out 3.1 times per week.
3.19 people make up the average family.
With 52 weeks in a year, that makes roughly 514 glasses of soda every year for an average family.
514 x $1.90 = $977!

What could you do with an extra $977 a year?

Right now, you could buy a really nice laptop, a whole new wardrobe, or it could go towards a vacation for your family. And all for substituting water for soda only when you eat out. It's not like you're giving it up entirely. Think it over.

This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Make Your Own Soda

Meg Favreau — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:36:06 +0000

I will admit that I am not a huge soda drinker; most of the time, it makes my teeth hurt. But when I do drink soda, I want it to be worth it. I'd much rather drink a bracing, sinus-opening ginger beer or a fresh carbonated lemonade than some boring old can of Coca-Cola. That's why I love making soda from scratch — I get to control the taste. (See also: 51 Uses for Coca-Cola)

Making soda can be as simple or as complicated of a project as you like. There are hundreds of different recipes for sodas, but as beverages, sodas all have the same basic parts: sweetness, flavor, and carbonation. Thus, directions for making your own soda don't vary as much by soda flavor as they do by how much time and money you want to spend.

This article focuses less on recipes (although it does link to some very good ones) and more on the different ways to approach soda making, so you can decide which way is right for you. Whether you want to make your own ginger beer for a great Dark and Stormy, provide a fun project (and less-sugary treat) for your kids, or just serve a unique drink at your next party, these soda-making techniques will help you out — all you need to do is choose how you want to carbonate and flavor it.

Choose Your Carbonation

How you carbonate your homemade soda will have the biggest effect on the cost and time involved. There are four basic ways to create carbonation.

Mix Your Ingredients With Seltzer

It doesn't get much easier than this. Buy a bottle of plain seltzer and mix it with your desired flavoring ingredients.

Buy a Carbonation Machine

SodaStream offers countertop carbonation machines that inject carbon dioxide (what makes carbonated water carbonated) into still beverages. Their smallest model is just under $80, and depending on how often you purchase seltzer or soda, this could be a money-saver...or it could be one of those underused gadgets that sits on your counter. The company also sells soda flavorings (including for energy drinks!), but you can easily use your own flavoring mixes.

Carbonate With Dry Ice

Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide. It can be dangerous to work with, but it can also carbonate a beverage mighty fast. The video below shows you a little bit how it works, and why it can be dangerous:

(link to video)

Let Your Soda Ferment

Ginger beer, root beer, and birch beer are all made like real beer — allowing yeast to create the carbonation. Because of that, these sodas are ever-so-slightly alcoholic, but due to their short fermentation time, the alcohol percentage is very low. I've made ginger beer using champagne yeast (purchased from a home-brew store). It had a milder carbonation than your average soda, but a great ginger kick. There are several sets of instructions online for how to make your own soda using yeast, such as Jeffrey Morgenthaler's ginger beer recipe and CHOW's root beer recipe.

One recommendation I would make, if the aesthetics don't bother you, is to make your soda in used plastic bottles instead of glass ones — it makes it much easier to tell when the fermentation process is complete. If you visit your local home-brew store, they should be able to provide both ingredients and guidance.

Choose Your Flavoring

Just like carbonating, there are several different ways to approach flavoring soda. Depending on how sweet you like your stuff, all of these methods will likely require the addition of sugar as well, which should be added in the form of simple syrup (a mix of water and sugar heated in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves completely) unless the recipe you're using says otherwise.

Fruit Juice

When I was young, my mother would serve me "healthy soda," a 1:1 mix of orange juice and seltzer. The O.J. can easily be replaced with cranberry, apple, or any other fruit juice. You can also add simple syrup for a more traditional soda-like sweetness.

Syrups and Extracts

Readymade extracts are available for common soda flavors like root beer and birch beer, which require several different ingredients to make from scratch. You can also add cola syrup (which, on its own, is supposed to help soothe an upset stomach).

Syrup From Scratch

The difficulty and expensiveness of your syrup depends on how complex of a soda you want to make. Some recipes, like for ginger ale, are relatively simple, while root beer can involve around a dozen different ingredients (many of the more common root beer ingredients are available online from Leeners). Making your own flavoring syrup is a great way to experiment — what happens if you add pear juice to your ginger ale?

If you're trying any of the more advanced methods (such as fermenting your soda or making syrup from scratch), I recommend trying a batch or two using a recipe, but once you get used to it, start experimenting with different flavors.

Have you made your own soda? Do you have a favorite recipe? Share it in the comments.

This article is from Meg Favreau of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How Much Caffeine is in That?

Sonja Stewart — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:00:03 +0000

Whether you're trying to avoid your own caffeine intake due to breastfeeding, pregnancy, or health reasons, or trying to keep your kids from ingesting more than their fair share, here's a list of a few everyday items and their caffeine content. (See also: 7 Nutrients You Need More Of)

Coffee

Coffee varies in caffeine content drastically, even in the same coffeehouse, on the same day. Everything from roast styles to brewing methods affect the amount of caffeine you get. The lighter the roast, the more caffeine it has.

Starbucks (Grande) iced coffee, 16 oz: 190 mg. This is double-brewed. Without the ice it contains 380mg.
Starbucks brewed coffee, 16 oz: 330 mg. Brewed coffee has 50% more caffeine on average than instant coffee.
Instant coffee, 16 oz: 60-345mg
Starbucks latte, 16 oz: 150mg
Starbucks espresso, 1 oz (1 shot): 58-75mg

Tea

The longer a tea is steeped, the higher the caffeine content. If after the first steep, you add more hot water to the tea or tea bag, the tea becomes almost entirely decaffeinated.

Starbucks Tazo chai tea latte, 16 oz: 100 mg
Regular black tea, 8 oz: 40-120 mg
Stash green tea, 18 oz: 78 mg
Snapple iced tea, 16 oz: 18 mg
12 oz Nestea: 17 mg
Decaffeinated black tea, 8 oz: 2 mg

Soft Drinks

All drinks are 12 oz servings

Mountain Dew: 54 mg
Mello Yello: 53 mg
Diet Coke: 47 mg
Tab: 47 mg
Dr Pepper: 42-44 mg
Sunkist Orange: 42 mg
Pepsi: 36-38 mg
Coke: 35 mg
A&W Cream Soda: 29 mg
Barq's Root Beer: 23 mg
A&W Root Beer: 0 mg
7-Up: 0 mg
Sprite: 0 mg
Mug Root Beer: 0 mg
Fanta: 0 mg

Energy Drinks

No Name (formerly known as Cocaine), 8.4 oz: 280 mg
Monster Energy, 16 oz: 160 mg
Full Throttle, 16 oz: 144 mg
Enviga, 12 oz: 100 mg
No Fear, 8 oz: 83 mg
Rockstar, 8 oz: 80 mg
Red Bull, 8.3 oz: 76 mg
AMP, 8.4 oz: 74 mg

Food

Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate, 1.45 oz: 31 mg
Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar, 1.55 oz: 9mg
Ben and Jerry's Coffee Heath Bar Crunch, 8 oz: 84 mg
Haagen-Daz Coffee Ice Cream, 8 oz: 58 mg
Starbucks Coffee Ice Cream, 8 oz: 50-60 mg

Medications

No Doz, 1 Tablet: 200 mg
Excedrin Extra Strength, 2 tablets: 130 mg
Anacin Maximum Strength, 2 tablets: 64 mg
Midol Maximum Strength: 60 mg

Things get a little tricky when it comes to what has caffeine and what doesn't. I knew Barq's Root Beer had caffeine, but didn't know that A&W Cream Soda has it as well. And just to confuse matters more, A&W Regular Root Beer is caffeine free. Also surprising was the caffeine content in Sunkist Orange. This list will help you keep the caffeine out of little hands (because they absolutely do not need it), and keep the buzz where it belongs — in your hectic, parental world.

This list was compiled with help from the Mayo Clinic article on caffeine content.

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This is a post from our sister blog, Parenting Squad. Visit Parenting Squad for more great posts:

This article is from Sonja Stewart of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Why is Gasoline So Cheap? A Cost Comparison of 40 Common Household Liquids

Xin Lu — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:02:26 +0000

One day at lunch my coworkers complained about how expensive gasoline is right now, and I asked one of them if he knew that one gallon of milk is more expensive than a gallon of gas. He looked at me blankly and said, "really?" Then another coworker who used to live in London chimed in and said, "yeah Americans have the cheapest petro I have ever seen. In London it is probably about $8 a gallon."

After this conversation I set out to find out how cheap gas really is compared to other liquids I have used and consumed. I went around my house and office and made a list of common fluid substances and here are the results:

	Liquid Product	Dollars Per Gallon
	Arrowhead Bottled Water	1.28
	Clorox Bleach	1.99
	Gasoline	3.53
	2% Milk	3.99
	Arizona Ice Tea	3.99
	Whole Milk	4.49
	Soda by Pepsi & Coke	5.33
	Pelligrino Sparkling Mineral Water	6.40
	Minute Maid Orange Juice	6.99
	Snapple Peach Tea	7.68
	Propel Fitness Water	7.68
	Henry Weinhards Root Beer	7.68
	Glaceau VitaminWater	8.96
	Safeway Canola Oil	9.84
	Boba Milk Tea	10.67
	Dawn Dish Detergent	11.43
	Charcoal Lighter Fluid	11.96
	Monster Energy Drink	12.80
	Rubbing Alcohol (Safeway)	13.52
	Safeway Peanut Oil	13.89
	Liquid Tide Detergent	14.49
	Windex	17.29
	Kikkoman Soy Sauce	18.21
	Softsoap Liquid Soap	20.45
	Starbucks Frappuccino Iced Coffee	20.48
	Elmer's Glue	20.54
	Progresso Clam Chowder	22.07
	Safeway Balsamic Vinegar	25.60
	Safeway Rice Vinegar	26.32
	Reallemon Lemon Juice	26.79
	Robert Mondavi Chardonnay	28.16
	Cheap Whiskey for Cooking	28.16
	Ragu Pizza Sauce	30.17
	Garnier Shampoo	35.23
	Molasses	37.23
	Old Spice Body Wash	41.17
	Worcestershire Sauce	48.64
	Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil	77.75
	Neutrogena Healthy Skin Makeup	1162.47
	Krazy Glue	2322.29

These prices were taken from the local Safeway and the cheapest gas station down the street. Since I live in San Mateo, California these prices are a bit above the national average. The way I calculated the prices of things that are not sold in gallons is to take the price per ounce and multiply it by 128 since there are 128 fluid ounces in a gallon. This table shows that gasoline is one of the cheapest liquid products we buy.

This is quite puzzling to me because we require a lot less Krazy Glue than gasoline on a daily basis, and yet gasoline is several magnitudes cheaper than glue. However, because we consume so much gasoline we feel the pinch more on a day to day basis and we complain about it. The price of petroleum also contributes to higher grocery prices because everything needs to be transported around the country. Nevertheless, gasoline is ridiculously cheap in America, and perhaps that is why we do not have very good public transit systems compared to Europe.

Another thing I noticed is how expensive sodas and other packaged drinks are. I do get most of my drinks free at work , but the most frugal thing to do is to just drink tap and save the money for gas! Anyway, I challenge you to make a comparison chart of your own, and then you may not feel so bad about the price of gasoline.

This article is from Xin Lu of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: