Natural Sodas

Now matter how hard we try to eat right, soda aka pop, is one of those foods that is one of the hardest to leave behind.  Whether it is the carbonation, the caffeine or just the whole sugary package, once we've tasted it, we tend to crave it.  Sadly, soda that is free from artificial colors, flavors and preservatives is hard to come by.  Even harder is finding a soda brand that does not include high fructose corn syrup.  Additionally, if you are looking for low calorie soda, the problem becomes even worse.  Our most readily available low or zero calorie sodas are chemically sweetened with the infamous aspartame as well as Splenda, which is derived from chlorine molecules. Yum!

So, it just about sounds like we're forced to give up soda if we want to avoid chemicals and major poundage.  However, this is not the case since there are alternatives to the major soda brands that we may have never considered.  In fact, in addition to a variety of chemical free sodas and naturally sweetened low calorie sodas, there are also many different ways to make your own soda.  So if you're looking for natural soda, here are some soda brands and soda making methods that may be of interest.

Natural Soda Brands:  
Most brands can be found at health food stores, local food coops, Whole Foods, and on amazon.com.  All brands listed below are free of artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. 

1. Sierra Mist Natural: (can be found in your local grocery store) Uses real sugar and cane sugar instead of corn syrup.
2. Blue Sky: Uses real sugar and mostly cane sugar but some flavors use corn syrup.
3. Blue Sky Organic: Uses real sugar and cane sugar instead of corn syrup.
4. Hansen's: Uses real sugar and cane sugar instead of corn syrup.
5. 365 Everyday Value (Whole Foods Brand): Uses real sugar and cane sugar instead of corn syrup.
6. Blue Sky Free: (a low calorie soda) Sweetened naturally with Stevia.
7. Zevia: (a low calorie soda) Sweetened naturally with Stevia. 

These are just some of the big ones and there may be other smaller labels.  If you don't find these brands in your local health food store, look at the ingredients on the brands that you do have.


Making your own Soda: 
There are three different methods you can use to make soda at home.

1. Club Soda Method: The easiest method for making soda at home is to use club soda (not tonic), sugar cane syrup, liquid Stevia and natural flavors or extracts.  Assure that the club soda you purchase has nothing but carbonated water. Example: Homemade Lemon-Lime Soda.   
2. Yeast Method: The second easiest method is to use yeast, sugar, and a flavor extract.  Once preparing a bottle of soda, it must sit 3-4 days to ferment before it is ready.  Though there is a very minuscule amount of alcohol, the flavor may remind one of alcohol since it will have a hint of fermentation in the fragrance.  Example: Homemade Root beer.  
3. Soda Siphon or Soda Machine: This method may be easy; however, it will require an initial investment to buy the siphon or the soda machine which could be expensive.  Both devices are used to carbonate water.  After carbonating the water the remaining recipe is much like the club soda method.