Cutting out sugar-sweetened soft drinks is one of the best ways for people with diabetes to drink less sugar. But if you’re a big soda fan, it’s not so easy to give it up.

SodaStream is a kitchen tool that lets you make soda from home. While it can give you more control over how much sugar is in your beverage, it also has some pitfalls to know about. Here’s what you should know before deciding if SodaStream is right for people with diabetes.

What Is SodaStream?

SodaStream adds carbonation (carbon dioxide air bubbles) to any liquid. You can use it to make sparkling water with or without your own natural flavors (like a splash of 100 percent fruit juice). The SodaStream brand also sells premade energy drink and soda mixes. All you have to do is add water. These products are made with either traditional sugar or sugar-free sweeteners, such as aspartame, stevia, or sucralose.

SodaStream Pros

SodaStream can be a fun gadget that’s used to make custom beverages. It can also help lower your overall sugar intake if you use it to replace higher-sugar beverages already in your diet.

SodaStream offers several lower-sugar or zero-calorie products on its website. They also have “bubly drops” that add natural flavor without sugar or artificial sweeteners. None of their flavors are fully sweetened with regular sugar.

Another benefit touted on the SodaStream website is the lower environmental impact of SodaStream versus store-bought soda. SodaStream says it lowers your consumption of single-use plastic bottles by using reusable bottles. While this may be true, it’s hard to know the full environmental impact of SodaStream. For instance, data on manufacturing the device itself or shipping the branded mixes isn’t available.

SodaStream Cons

One downside to SodaStream is the cost. Although it’s not less expensive to drink any type of soda versus tap water, SodaStream requires you to buy carbon canisters to use the machine.

One DiabetesTeam member wrote, “I find the whole system expensive when you can buy a giant bottle of soda on sale usually for a buck or less. You just can’t make it yourself as well or as cheap, and it doesn’t taste (to me) as good as the factory stuff.”

SodaStream offers some coupons and promotions, so you could wait for deals to purchase the products. Ultimately, you’ll have to look at your current soda spending to decide if SodaStream is going to save you money or not. Prioritizing a healthy alternative over your cheapest option can give you the most value in the long run.

Should You Get SodaStream?

SodaStream could be helpful for diabetes. But there are some potential health effects to know about. It all depends on where it fits into an overall healthy lifestyle.

Potential Health Effects of Carbonated Beverages

Water is the healthiest beverage you can drink. Carbonated water made with or without SodaStream can also be a good option for most people. However, the acidity of carbonated water has raised concerns about damaging the enamel of your teeth. And if you have acid reflux or heartburn, you’re better off avoiding carbonated drinks, since they could worsen your symptoms.

Artificial or Regular Sugar for People With Diabetes: Which Is Better?

Past studies have said that diet drinks and food products are better for people with

diabetes than products with sugar. If you prefer to make these at home instead of buying a bottle of diet soda from the store, SodaStream lets you do that.

It’s important to keep in mind that even completely “sugar-free” sodas are best consumed in moderation. More recent research has questioned the health benefits of artificial sweeteners versus added sugars for people with type 2 diabetes, suggesting they may promote weight gain and raise the risk of sugar cravings and heart disease.

You’ll be more hydrated and healthier by drinking water more often. If you make a change to your diet, keep a closer eye on your blood sugar levels and check in with your healthcare provider about any concerns.

Talk With Others Who Understand

DiabetesTeam is the social network for people with diabetes and their loved ones. On DiabetesTeam, more than 163,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with diabetes.

Do you have any strategies for cutting back on sugary drinks? How do you deal with cravings for fizzy drinks? Share your comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.