If you’re anything like me, your hyper-concerned about your
health with a borderline obsession with food labels. Last year, for instance, I
went off all artificial sweeteners, meaning that if the packaging says “Sugar
free,” 
“Light,” or “Diet,” I’m over it, namely due to long-term neurological
concerns.
The truth is, we all know the dangers of aspartame and other
low-calorie sweeteners. And you could be fooling yourself if you think Splenda,
aka sucralose, is any better than its to-good-to-be-true counterparts. In my
experience, nothing satisfies like the real thing without some kind of
drawback. Google “the dangers of Splenda” and you’ll quickly find yourself
reconsidering that mid-afternoon Diet Coke.
As many artificial sweeteners are also known to stimulate
appetite, I’ve sought some alternatives, specifically, stevia, agave and cane
sugar. Replacing a moderate Crystal Light habit of years past, I’ve recently
developed a fondness for Tetley Infusions liquid tea mix.
Available in naturally cane-sweetened Green Tea, Green Tea
with Pomegranate, Classic Tea with Mediterranean Lemon, and White Tea with
Blueberry, each single-serving sachet combines effortlessly with water almost
instantly. No frantic shaking leading to spillage. No DDT-like aftertaste.
At only 50 calories a serving, I’m adding a dash of this
readymade iced tea to everything from tap water and sparkling water to recipes
as a substitute for heavy sugars and sweeteners (Green Tea and Chilled Mango
Soup is a 
household favourite in my parts, but see www.tetley.ca for additional suggestions).
One box of six 30 ml sachets retails for $3.99. Look for
them at your local market in the non-life threatening flavour crystal aisle.