Paleo Maple Soda

I detailed the many negatives of brand name soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi including their diet variants in my last post for the Honey Soda recipe.

While I bashed the big guys for containing ridiculous quantities of high fructose corn syrup, sodium, and artificial colors, I have to remind you that soda in any form (within Paleo parameters or not) is still not something you want to consume on a regular basis.

That said, if you are trying to break a soda addiction, trying to get your
kids to develop healthier habits, or if you are eating Paleo and just want a special treat once in a while, Paleo soda is a fine option and Maple Soda is a delicious way to do it!

Paleo Maple Soda Recipe

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces Seltzer water
• 1 tbs real maple syrup

Preparation:

1. Pour Seltzer water into a clear glass.
2. Stir in maple syrup or use a cocktail shaker to mix (see how I do it in this video).
3. Add ice to glass, or pour over ice in a second glass and enjoy.

Nutritional Info - Maple Soda (8 oz) vs. Coca-Cola (8 oz)

Glycemic Index: 54 vs. 61

Sugar (grams): 13 vs. 26

Calories: 50 vs. 93

Total Carb (grams): 17 vs. 26

Sodium (mg): 0 vs. 45

Artificial Color: No vs. Yes

Preservatives: No vs. Yes

Paleo Honey Soda

Paleo Soda?

While not so much a Paleo snack as much as it is a Paleo drink, this Honey Soda recipe is a real treat when you are looking for (or craving) a simple and sweet soda within Paleo diet parameters.

This is a true Paleo drink. Unlike any commercially available soft drinks (like Coke or Pepsi), including diet sodas. Where some Paleo or Primal diet proponents deem diet sodas as acceptable in limited amounts, I don't believe there is anything to be gained by drinking them. First of all they typically taste like crap, and secondly the synthetic sweeteners, preservatives, and artificial coloring are not Paleo and are likely detrimental to your health as well. They may be even more harmful than non-diet soda. You are almost better off drinking a standard soda than a diet version.

I am not going to go into too much detail about the numerous advantages of my honey soda recipe over factory made, high fructose corn syrup laden cans of empty calories, but I will state some simple facts for comparison:

Honey Soda (8 oz) vs. Coca-Cola (8 oz)

Glycemic Index: 55 vs. 61

Sugar (grams): 16 vs. 26

Calories: 60 vs. 93

Total Carb (grams): 17 vs. 26

Sodium (mg): 0 vs. 45

Artificial Color: No vs. Yes

Preservatives: No vs. Yes

I think the numbers speak for themselves. I will suggest that you be selective with the honey that you chose. Try to buy local honey and try to buy organic. This may or may not be reasonable in your area. Any way you get your honey, you will still end up with a better product than the diabetes-in-a-can being sold at your local grocery store. So here is the recipe:

Honey Soda

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces Seltzer water
• 1 tbs pure honey

Preparation:

1. Pour Seltzer water into a clear glass.
2. Stir in honey. This will take some time to dissolve into the seltzer water (5 minutes typically). I find it is easiest to use two spoons, one to measure and another to scrape. Use both to mix until the honey is disolved.
3. Add ice to glass, or pour over ice in a second glass and enjoy.