Snowchickie - I have a bottle of lemon juice from the supermarket and a few drops of that will brighten up plain water when you are over it, or you could squeeze some in for water with meals if you have a lemon tree - lemons are just a fruit after all. Plain mineral water is fine also and at least tastes different.

I have the occasional coke zero. I have never had sugar in my tea, so that isn't worrying me and I can't help with sweetners. After I have done the night BSL test I tend to have a Rev milk with a small amount of milo as I can not face plain milk.

As for it going away, ask me in a couple of months - I am worried about it also...