Zero Choice
One of my diabetes pet peeves has always been the lack of beverage choices when I go out to eat. There’s always water, of course, but that’s always my last choice. Depending on where you go, there might be unsweetened iced tea. If you want a hot beverage, there might be hot tea, and there’s always coffee, but I don’t even like the smell of it let alone the taste. If you just want a diet soda though, it’s Diet Coke or Diet Pepsi, depending on the restaurant of choice’s alliance. For those who can drink regular soda, there’s usually root beer, Sprite or 7-Up, maybe something that’s orange and/or something that’s red, possibly lemonade. At the soda fountain, people with correctly working endocrine systems generally have multiple options from which to choose.
Luckily, I like Diet Coke, and Diet Pepsi is OK if there’s no Diet Coke, but sometimes, I wish I had a choice. Within the last year or so, I remember going to the movies and seeing that they had Diet Coke and Coke Zero, but that wasn’t really what I had in mind. It’s a step in the right direction, but I want a different flavor, something other than cola.
Jason and I often go to a local restaurant that serves what they call fresh, healthy “fast food”. They have a variety of grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps and salads. Wraps can be had in both regular and wheat. They use healthy oils, and the produce is always very fresh. Everything is made to order so nothing has been sitting under heat lights for extended lengths of time. They do have fries, but they offer carrots and celery, chicken soup, and fresh fruit cups as alternate side items. We’re fond of going there. The food is good, it’s inexpensive, plus we always have coupons of one kind or another to make it even cheaper. It’s family-owned and run, so the service is always good, and the employees are friendly and helpful.
A couple of weeks ago, we were in there, and I was filling my cup with Diet Coke when I noticed that there was also Sprite Zero. I’m so used to not even having a choice that I don’t even look at the other fountain options, so I was gleefully surprised to see that there was another flavor of diet soda. Naturally, I snapped a picture to mark the occasion too.
I can understand how it would put a smile on your face. And I’m thankful you have...
Very true!… I used to drive to chick-fil-a not for the food but because they are one of the only places that has diet dr. pepper! (w/rat turd ice!)
Comment by Jaimie — November 7, 2009 @ 5:16 pm
Our local Taco Bell has died Dr. Pepper and sometimes Diet Mt. Dew. One of our local McDonald’s has Diet Dr. Pepper.
Needless to say, they both get a disproportionate share of my diabetic fast-food budget.
Comment by Martin — November 7, 2009 @ 5:51 pm
Good topic to cover Lee Ann :]
I have this problem at my local cinema. The only diet juice they have on tap is Diet Coke, which I’m not too keen on anymore. There’s also water, but I refuse to pay their silly prices.
Comment by Melissa — November 7, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
Great point Lee Ann. The unfortunate truth is diet cola is the only soda pop that makes a profit, which is why most places only carry the cola
Recently I’ve noticed SoBe Lean as an option at a couple different places, which is kinda exciting.
Comment by Renee — November 7, 2009 @ 6:30 pm
I like the Chick-Fil-A has Diet Dr. Pepper, but there’s not one anywhere near me. My movie theater has Diet Coke and Coke Zero…but not any other diet options…tell me how that makes any sense? lol
Comment by Ashley — November 7, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
I took my five year old on a date out last week and he choose Jack in the box. Not my choice, but it was his day so we went in. To his gleeful surprise…there was diet Dr. Pepper served there. He has never had anything other than Diet Coke/Diet Pepsi. I cannot tell you how excited this little diabetic was to try something different. It made the trip there TOTALLY worth it!
Comment by Meri — November 7, 2009 @ 6:37 pm
I love options
Comment by Rachel — November 7, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
We have the same problem. I’d really prefer that my 6 year-old diabetic daughter not have the caffeine in diet colas… but sometimes at a restaurant there’s no other choice besides water. Ideally, I’d like to see Caffeine Free Diet Whatever… but that’s very rare.
However, both ChickFilA and the Target snack bar have a diet LEMONADE! (No, we don’t normally eat meals at the Target snack bar, but we do stop in there for drinks if we’re running errands.)
Comment by Amy @ Tiny Blessings — November 7, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Why don’t you ask them to carry Fresca?
Comment by Mom — November 7, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
A couple of the local Carls Jr.’s have diet 7up on tap. and the Corner Bakery Cafe has Fresca.
Comment by Judie — November 8, 2009 @ 3:45 am
I sometimes let my daughter have soda when we are out because I think it’s lame that she has to drink water and the milk at some restaurants is often questionable.
But I don’t like her to have caffeine since she’s only five. Unfortunately the choice is usually diet Coke or Pepsi.
Occasionally a fountain will have Minute Maid Light lemonade (Target’s cafe).
Comment by Leighann — November 8, 2009 @ 8:41 am
I can recall the moment, when I was interviewing for my job at Clara Barton Camp, when I spotted the soda machine in the staff building – and every single option was diet! I knew I was ‘home’
Comment by Kassie — November 8, 2009 @ 10:22 am
You are so right! And this place has a diet option that is caffeine free – bravo!
Comment by Scott K. Johnson — November 8, 2009 @ 11:27 am
I sooo agree! I avoid Diet Pepsi and Diet Coke at night because they have caffeine, I also prefer a light cola for the sake of staining my teeth…but usually that leaves me with water!
Comment by April — November 8, 2009 @ 3:57 pm
Never enough choices out there. Uno Chicago Grill has Diet Mountain Dew in my area. I just about fell over when the waitress told me. It rocked.
Comment by Crystal — November 8, 2009 @ 3:59 pm
To all of the moms who don’t want to give their d kids soda- I carry the packets of Crystal Light in a couple of different flavors so Katie feels like she’s getting a choice. We especially use them when we’re out for breakfast and her brothers are ordering juices or chocolate milk. I also carry sugar free hot chocolate packs and just ask the waitress bring hot water. Waitresses are so helpful when they see how small she is (5 years) and how she deals so matter-of-fact with her diabetes. She also loves to get hot tea when the waitresses brings out the basket and she gets to choose a cool flavor. But her absolute favorite thing, like Lee Ann, is to have more than one choice at the soda fountain!!
Comment by Tina — November 8, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
Love those choices!!!! I have a neighbor who keeps Sprite Zero in her fridge JUST for my daughter. Addy loves knowing there’s something special when she goes to play and my neighbor loves being her “Sprite Source”
Comment by Wendy — November 8, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
If you want to try something that is really yum!!!! Sprecher Low Cal Root Beer. It has 4 grams per bottle. YUM. The Sprecher Brewery is in Milwaukee. But check out your grocery store. MMMMMM good. Make sure that it is ice, ice cold
Comment by dargirl — November 8, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
[...] Erik and I move tables around to accommodate everyone, and while Erik went to purchase diet sodas (in 3 flavors!), Val blew up blue balloons while I taped streamers to the tables. It was very [...]
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