PRODUCT REVIEW

5 DRINKS FOR THE DESIGNATED DRIVER 
Drinking lubricates most social functions. It’s one of life’s pleasures. Plain water is unquestionably the best option, but it’s rarely the first choice when drinking socially with family, friends and colleagues. Mineral water (still or sparkling) with ice and a slice of lemon is socially more acceptable and contains relatively small amounts of sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium. However, there’s an increasingly large variety of beverages out there for the designated driver and for those who don’t drink alcohol for health or religious/cultural reasons. Here we take a look at some of the more popular soft options.

ORANGE JUICE 
Ingredients: Oranges.
On average, 1 cup (250ml) of freshly squeezed orange juice has 375kJ (90 calories); 19g carbohydrate (sugars), a low GI (50) and medium glycemic load (10). It’s a good source of vitamin C. Tip: Add mineral water and ice cubes and make it a long drink to sip.


COCA-COLA™ CLASSIC
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Sugar, Colour (150d), Food Acid (338), Flavour, Caffeine.

• 1 cup (250ml) has 450kJ (108 calories); 27g carbohydrate (sugars), a medium GI (63) and medium glycemic load (17). 
• A 375ml can has 670kJ (160 calories); 40g carbohydrate (sugars), and bumps the glycemic load up to high (25). 

 If you like to drink regular Coke or other sugar sweetened colas and soft drinks, pour into a tall glass with lots of ice. Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke are sugar free.

PEPSI MAX™
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Colour (Caramel e150d), Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame K), Acids (Phosphoric Acid, Citric Acid), Flavourings (including Caffeine), Preservative (Potassium Sorbate). Contains a source of Phenylalanine.

• 1 cup (250ml) has 4kJ (1 calorie); 0.2g carbohydrate. 
• A 375ml can has 6kJ (1.5 calories); 0.2g carbohydrate. 

Like other low joule/calorie or “diet” soft drinks and colas, this is a good alternative to alcohol. It has no effect on blood glucose levels and there’s evidence that substituting regular soft drinks with diet varieties helps people lose weight.

REMEDY ORGANIC KOMBUCHA
Ginger Lemon Ingredients: Certified organic raw kombucha, (pure water, wild kombucha culture, organic black tea, organic green tea), organic ginger, naturally fermented organic glucose (erythritol), organic lemon, organic stevia (steviol glycosides).

• 1 cup (250ml) has 75kJ (17 calories); 4g carbohydrate. 
• A 330ml bottle has 99kJ (23 calories); 5g carbohydrate. 

LEMON, LIME AND BITTERS
While you can buy commercial brands, many people make their own. We turned to Taste.com for a recipe, but we reduced their serving size down to 1 cup (250ml). Ingredients: 1.25 litres lemonade (chilled), ½ cup lime juice cordial, 1 teaspoon Angostura bitters, 1 cup small ice cubes, Angostura bitters to serve, lemon slices to serve

• 1 cup (250ml) has 509kJ (121 calories); 29g carbohydrate. 

Read more:

• Dr Alan Barclay: Perspectives on social drinking, GI News