AFAIK - Crystal Light at worst, has a lot of same stuff as sodas, minus the sugar. Which is already a substantial improvement. I don't know what the tap water q

AFAIK - Crystal Light at worst, has a lot of same stuff as sodas, minus the sugar. Which is already a substantial improvement. I don't know what the tap water quality in your area is - but it could very well be bad. However there might be ways of getting a good, cheap water supply if you are in mountainous areas. Id recommend that you stick to pure water if possible - otherwise do what it takes (you might even buy bottled water - but note that in some scenarios bottled watter is worse than tap water - I am super lucky here again, since I live in alpine area where water supply is abundant and of extreme quality). Regarding vegetables: Onions, garlic, potatoes (early variety), cucumber, cabbage, green beans (we buy dry beans in bulk), beet root, tomatoes and pumpkins. I grow various medicinal herbs and spices. Of fruit I have some grapes, apples, plums and raspberries. Its all just standard central European crops really. With this capacity we are able to satisfy all vegetable requirements for a family of 5 from late April till late autumn. You should plant various strains of lettuce and green-beans so you have a constant supply over whole season. Hope you will be able to grow your own food someday.