The Quest for a Better Bubble

I popped into my local servo today to grab a drink, only to be met with the usual, somewhat dismal selection. The fridge was packed with soft drinks of dubious quality—bottles loaded with sugar, artificial stimulants, and “diet” options that are arguably just as terrible for you. Since being diagnosed with diabetes almost three years ago, I’ve made a point of avoiding soft drinks entirely.

It’s a lifestyle change that has paid off; my blood sugar levels are trending beautifully. In fact, I recently visited my endocrinologist and received the fantastic news that my levels have actually returned to the pre-diabetes range.

There has been exactly one exception to my “no soft drink” rule. During a hospital stay, my blood sugar dropped to an alarmingly low level. The nurses needed to get my glucose up immediately, and a soft drink—paired with a handful of jelly beans—was the quickest way to do it. Aside from that medical emergency, I’ve stuck strictly to water.

Today at the servo, the only flavoured option amidst the wall of cola and energy drinks was a single lime-infused sparkling mineral water. Everything else was either “plain flat” or “plain sparkling.” It’s a frustratingly limited choice.

Reflecting on that today made me realise how much I envy the variety you find in places like Sweden. Over there, you can walk into any local shop and find half a shelf dedicated to sparkling waters with just a subtle hint of natural flavour—no sugar, no nasties. Brands like Loka and Ramlösa dominate the scene, offering everything from classic Pear and Lemon to more adventurous blends like Strawberry & Pomegranate, Mango, or Elderflower & Lime. They even have seasonal editions like Winter Apple or Watermelon.

In contrast, our Australian “water” cabinet often feels like an afterthought to the sugary giants. While we are starting to see more options like Bubly or Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling in flavours like Raspberry or Passionfruit, they are still dwarfed by the rows of soft drinks.

I would love to see a genuine Swedish-style variety here in Australia: a dedicated range of sparkling waters that offer a bit of interest without the sugar crash. It would be such a relief to be able to grab something refreshing and sophisticated while out and about, without having to navigate a sea of high-sugar stimulants just to find one lonely bottle of lime water.