Non-alcoholic drinks

[SarahBa]

Since being diagnosed with endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancer in November 2021 and then being told my cancer was oestrogen receptor positive I have taken the decision to actively try to reduce the level of oestrogen in my body and this includes reducing my alcohol intake. I am currently teetotal and would like to remain so.

I do enjoy alcohol but if I’m going to give it up then I’m looking for healthier alternatives and would be grateful to hear of suggestions please.

I have tried non-alcoholic beer and do enjoy it. I’ve tried zero alcohol Prosecco and am definitely not keen and would rather just drink lemonade.

I know some of these drinks may be relatively high in sugar and was wondering what drinks are healthier to drink when out socialising with friends. At home I drink low sugar squash but when at restaurants I’m wondering what to drink. Fresh orange juice sounds healthy but some people say it is high in sugar but perhaps a fresh orange juice and a glass of water is one of the healthiest options. I believe Fevertree Lemonade is a good alternative as there is reduced sugar in their lemonade.

However, non-Fevertree lemonade is likely to be high in sugar and then diet lemonade will likely have artificial sweeteners so with these various alternatives that don’t appear to be particularly healthy I’m thinking I may as well have a non-alcoholic beer but if that’s not available I’d be grateful to hear what drinks would be better to drink.

Thank you for your help and advice.

[Starbarn]

Hi . I have just purchased a soda siphon. They look very elegant too.

. I have found elderflower or lime cordial make a drink more interesting and when I’m out I drink either ginger beer/ale or the above. Mock tails are becoming available and make you feel more included.

[Lovedogs41 in reply to Starbarn]

HiI think it depends if you just want to cut out alcohol from your diet but want a similar taste then the zero alcoholic beers,wine etc would be a good go to.But they are full of sugars and chemicals which aren’t good for you,the same with most soft drinks.Sparkling,soda or still water with some fresh lime or lemon juice is good for you or you could get a juicer and make your own juices or smoothies for when your at home.

[Lovedogs41 in reply to Lovedogs41]

Sorry was for SarahBa!

[SarahBa in reply to Lovedogs41]

Thank you Lovedogs41 for your well thought through reply.

My first step has been cutting out alcohol which even though I wasn't a big drinker I thought I may struggle to do but it was something I wanted to do. I actually think (and really do hope) I will be able to be teetotal for the rest of my life.

To help me get off the alcohol I tried the zero alcohol alternatives. The only one I enjoy is one of the non-alcoholic beers but you are right they are still full of sugars and chemicals so that isn't good for me.

I am hoping, in time, to not even drink non-alcoholic beer but I'm not quite there yet but ultimately that is my goal. That is sort of my reason for asking this question. If lemonade or diet lemonade is just as bad for me as non-alcoholic beer then I may as well have a non-alcoholic beer but if there is something much healthier that I enjoy then that is what I would like to drink and ideally would drink that all the time and no longer even drink non-alcoholic beer.

I eat a lot of fruit and vegetables already and prefer to eat them rather than drink them as a juice or a smoothie but thank you for that suggestion.

I enjoy my no added sugar orange and mango cordial drink at home when it's really cold so maybe it's a case of ensuring I've always got ice cubes in the freezer so that's an enjoyable drink and I'm not tempted to have drinks with sugar and chemicals in when I'm at home.

However, this does go back to what should I drink that is actually good for me when I'm out in bars or restaurants. A healthy mocktail perhaps depending on the ingredients if I was in a bar or perhaps even a lime cordial.

I think I'd find still water with either just lime or lemon in it a little bland if I was out but wondered if there was something out there catering for people who don't drink alcohol and want something a little bit healthier.

At the moment the healthiest drink I could ask for that appeals to me is probably a lime cordial however any other suggestions for what else I could ask for to drinks whilst out and about that is healthy would be appreciated.

However, at the moment I'm spending most of my time outside and that is likely to be the case over the summer so it'll probably just be cans or bottles that I can purchase and lime cordial is unlikely to be an option.

Worst case scenario it would be alternating between non-alcoholic beer and still water when I'm out with friends and my orange and mango cordial when I'm at home but do wonder what other healthier drinks there are that are typically sold at mini-festival type gatherings.

[SarahBa in reply to Starbarn]

They are really good suggestions, thank you.

[Saintgermain]

Hi SarahBa,I have the same type of cancer as you stage 3B my Gyno/Onc wanted me to go on an anti-estrogen pill which I tried but hated the side effects so I’ve opted to follow a low estrogen diet I finished treatment in October 2021 as far as anything with white sugar I don’t eat it I do once a week have a glass of dry red wine low sugar I’m not promoting it I’m in the states but my I do have club soda with a twist of lemon or lime o sugar I would stay away from orange juice a lot of sugar if you like broccoli or Brussels sprouts all fight estrogen Hope this helps

[SarahBa in reply to Saintgermain]

Hi Saintgermain, thank you for your reply, yes it was helpful.

I too have also opted to have a low oestrogen diet and plan to definitely be on this for the rest of my life. It's a good job I like broccoli.

I had heard that a lot of fruits do have high sugar content and fresh orange juice is one so yes, you're right, on second thoughts I'm best to avoid orange juice.

I don't add white sugar to anything I eat but it sounds like most soft drinks have sugar and are therefore best avoided.

Can I ask is the reason you avoid white sugar due to the effect it has on oestrogen?

From what I have read the jury seems to be out as to whether sugar feeds cancer however if this causes oestrogen levels to rise then due to the type of cancer we have which feeds off oestrogen then it is better that I avoid white sugar. That means no more non-alcoholic beers for me.

Does sound like (no added sugar) cordial or water with lemon or lime may be the best option for me.

[27-359 in reply to SarahBa]

Hi. I also enjoy a glass of wine. Does alcohol affect oestrogen levels in the body, as I have never heard that? I too am oestrogen positive, so may need to 're think my social drinking.

Jenny

[Jenjill47 in reply to 27-359]

I live in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. We are surrounded by magnificent vineyards. The way I look at it, I will take my chances and enjoy my wine - life is to be lived and i figure that my days are numbered - really just like everyone else on earth. My oncologist has no objections, bless her! 🐨🐨

[Saintgermain in reply to 27-359]

Hi Jenny

It depends on what you read red wine has resveratrol which is touted as cancer fighting I do enjoy a nice glass

[Loorunner]

It probably sounds a bit dull but I have a lime and soda. Or a mocktails based on something like that (lime/lemon/cucumber/ soda).I've just finished chemo. In time I might have the odd white wine - but probably a glass a month! In a restaurant I always just have water with a meal but I'm not really a drinker anyway

[mrstadpole]

For low sugar I have blackcurrant cordial with soda water.Most places serve this.There are lots of lovely non alcoholic drinks but most have huge amounts of sugar.

[Realistic]

Hi Sarah welcome to the club , l don't drink but not because of health l just dont like alcohol l drink non alcholic Rose wine from Sainsburys l think its lovely abd dont think there too much sugar in it. I buy all low sugar drinks, my husbands diabetic so lm mindful of sugar content. My husband likes a drink but he also enjoys the red wine which is alcoholic free from sainsburys. Tried other supermarkets own but not too my taste. Its not easy really especially if your flying diet coke or water. Time things changed. Good luck. Love Sheila F xxx

[Morini]

I drink very little alcohol. When I am out I like some of the flavoured tonic waters and a few garnishes to snazz it up. I find the glass I put my drink in helps for some reason, so I like to hold a wine glass and it my head my drink is better!!

[SarahBa in reply to Morini]

Hi Morini, flavoured tonic water with garnishes to snazz it up sounds perfect. I agree the glass makes all the difference too. All my friends drink alcohol and I want to appear as though I am drinking alcohol too. That really is a great suggestion of yours, thank you.

[K95m]

Most pubs sell tea and coffee , might be an alternative on cold days !!

[Differentforgirls]

Have you tried the CBD infused lightly sparkling drinks called TRIP? I’ve enjoyed them & feel like I could be drinking an alcoholic drink.

The elderflower mint version & also the peach & ginger ones are refreshing & go down easily.

Think there are a couple more flavours too.

I buy them at the supermarket.

They are good mixers for non alcoholic gin too.

After my diagnosis I decided to be mainly tee total although I occasionally have an alcoholic drink ( which goes to my head very quickly).

Hope you find something you enjoy & feel safe drinking. Chin chin xx

[tidewater19]

I often will order plain seltzer water over ice w/ a splash of orange juice or other fruit. I enjoy the fizz. If they do not have seltzer water I order club soda with the splash. Lemon, Lime. If they have pomegrante juice (I use that at home) juice alone is high in sugar and I find seltzer or club soda too Plain.