Question:
Question for Southern WLS subscribers regarding 'sweet tea'

I'm 2 months out and have lost 60 lbs (Yeah!). Before my surgery I REALLY enjoyed sweet tea. Now that I'm post-op I've been drinking unsweeten tea with pink packets and blue packets. Neither of these alternives are satisfying. I was wondering if anyone has had good ole fashioned sweet tea and if you had any problems with it. Thanks! John RNY 6/20    — John B. (posted on August 13, 2003)

August 12, 2003
Have you tried the sweetener Splenda? I make tea with it and I think it tastes very good!
   — Lois B.

August 12, 2003
hi John...I'm from NC...right in the middle of sweet tea country lol...have you tried splenda? It tastes most like real sugar not an aftertaste...and you can put it in the tea when its just been brewed or ice cold...hope this helps! Im planning on using it alot after surgery congrats on the 60 pds!
   — cinamoni

August 13, 2003
I live in Gainesville, Florida, and the truth is that "good sweet tea" is made with tea, sugar, and corn syrup. Mainly sugar. So you probably won't find a "tea" replacement for that, since unsweet tea (even with sweetener) tastes absolutely nothing like real sweet tea, but you could try with lots of lemon and splenda.
   — Jonathan S.

August 13, 2003
I live in Texas and have a huge mug of tea on my desk as we speak. I can drink sweet tea with no problems but to avoid excess sugar I find that if I mix equal parts of Sweet N Low and Equal (for my mug I use 3 of each), it comes very close and is very satisfying. I don't like either sweetner in tea by themselves but something about the equal parts of each makes it excellent. Good luck. Kellye
   — Kellye C.

August 13, 2003
Not to be redundant, but try the SPLENDA, John! It's actually made from sugar, although no cals, no aftertaste. Much better than Equal or Sweet 'n Lo (gross!). I drink tea all day (and yes, water, too)..but I make English tea...it's brewed tea with a little milk and Splenda. Yummy. But I MUST have my tea. Congrats on the superb weight loss...that is really great to have lost 60 lbs. in 2 months. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 13, 2003
Time for the yellow packet. Splenda!
   — mom2jtx3

August 13, 2003
Splenda only for this georgia peach. :) Sweet tea is a must and w/ splenda its almost as good as the "real deal". ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 110+ and counting
   — Siddy I.

August 13, 2003
To echo all the rest of the answers, splenda and iced tea are a winning combination!
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 13, 2003
Not to beat a dead horse - but SPLENDA is the only way to go! Don't forget - DECAF also.......As for the pink & blue, those are artificial sweeteners. Those that don't know it - ANY artificial sweetener is an appetite STIMULANT!! Splenda is the best!!
   — JoeGA

August 13, 2003
Being from Ga, we all drink sweet tea. I use decaf tea now, and sweeten with Sugar Like.. tastes just like sugar and is available online from www. vitalady.com
   — Gina Landers

August 13, 2003
Hi John- Coming from NC- I can relate to your craving the REAL sweet tea- However I haven't been brave enough to push my limits and add real sugar. Splenda is a good alternative, but I've found that juice from a very ripe peach will add a great flavor w/o any artifical sweetners. Good luck!
   — lyndaleigh

August 13, 2003
As a Sweet Tea Lover from Texas, I understand not being satisfied by the "fake" sweetners. I've tried them all, even Splenda tastes funky to me and gives me a big tummy ache. At the risk of having some of you scream at me....I will confess....I did it. I tried sugar and you know what, no reaction. I started out with a really small amount, just to cut the bitter tea taste and I've added more and more. It's the only thing I have sugar in and I don't have it all the time. Although when I first found that I could tolerate it, I drank tea non-stop for about 2 weeks! I'm over that but I know that it's an option should I need it. Good luck. I hope it works for you.
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 13, 2003
I don't know about WLS patients specifically, but my husband who is not a WLS patient has been told by his PCP that tea, even decaf can cause or aggravate a kidney stone problem. SO just be aware of this if you have the tendency. As for sweet and low, I have not had it stimulate my appetite yet. I take a tall glass or sports bottle, squeeze a piece of lemon in it and add a few packets. I fill the glass with cold water from our cooler. Easy, light lemonade as an alternative to the tea.
   — Fixnmyself

August 13, 2003
Hi John, I too love my sweet tea. I haven't had surgery yet, but I've been trying to give up sugar for a while now. You mentioned pink and blue packets...Have you ever tried the yellow packet? "Splenda" It taste more like real sugar than any other sweetener that I've found. Splenda is made from sugar so it tastes like sugar. Hope this helps and good luck!
   — Marissa R.

August 13, 2003
As far as I'm concerned (as an ex-alabama resident)... NOTHING is as good as real sweet tea...BUT...a suggestion that wasn't made was Crystal Lite, decaf ice tea....I drink it constantly... I couldn't stand tea made with any of the "fake" sugars, even splenda....the CL decaf is nice and sweet and goes down well.
   — Kelly B.

August 14, 2003
SPLENDA!! I think it tastes great, and doesn't leave a yucky aftertaste like the "pink and blue packets"!!!!
   — BeckyT

August 14, 2003
I had RNY 03-26-03 & sugar makes me dump but my friend in Alabama swears that she has always had sweetened (with sugar) tea because as a southerner she couldn't do without it after her RNY.She has lost all her weight & has kept it off for 3 yrs now. It's your choice...TRY IT & SEE WHAT HAPPENS
   — BLSLIM77

August 14, 2003
I too like sweet tea, but with the surgery I don't want to push it with the sugar content. I drink unsweet tea with Splenda. It is a lot better than the other sweetners and it doesn't leave a bad after taste. Splenda also dissolves really well in iced tea.
   — Angela M.

August 14, 2003
Alabama girl here. Sweet tea is awesome but I can't drink it. I can eat chocolate but sweet tea gives me an almost drunk type sensation. Do you remember when you were pre-op and everyone said "I can't tell the difference between diet coke and real coke. Or, I can't tell the difference between sweet tea and tea with sweet n' low"? I always thought BULL! Now, I'm as bad as they are. I've gotten used to artificial sweeteners. My substitute for sweet tea is Winn Dixie Brand Nutra Sweet Tea. It is AWESOME! You buy it in gallon jugs in the refrigerated section. I also use different flavors of Propel instead of tea. If I have to order unsweet tea out I will use one envelope of pink and one of blue. Mixing them seems to give it a better flavor. Still, the very best substitute is the tea from Winn Dixie. Best wishes!
   — ronascott

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