Put down the diet sodas, mixed coffees and sports drinks, and trade them in for more natural (and yummy!) alternatives.
Don’t Drink: Diet Soda
Seriously people, just because it has the word “diet” in the name does not mean it’s good for you. Diet soda may not contain calories or real sugar, but instead they contain large amounts of chemicals and artificial sweeteners. Every time you take a swig of diet soda, you are putting extremely unnatural ingredients into your body. This isn’t cool, because these artificial chemicals will harm your body over time. Studies have also shown that diabetes and weight gain are associated with drinking both regular and diet sodas.
Do Drink: Fruit-Infused Water
Next time you’re craving a sugary drink, reach for a fruit-infused water instead of a soda (even diet). You don’t even need one of those fancy water bottles; simply cut up some fresh fruit and drop it into your glass of water. The natural sugars from the fruit will satisfy your sweet tooth, and the water will keep your body hydrated and boost your metabolism. Try lemons, strawberries, kiwis, raspberries, apples or mix a few different ones together!
Don’t Drink: Mixed Coffee Drinks
When that mid-morning slump hits, all you want is a big fancy Starbucks drink for a pick-me-up. I get it, but part of the reason why those frappuccinos and mochas taste so great is because of the tons and tons of sugar in them. You may think you’re being healthy by ordering a “light” version of your coffee drink, but the truth is that these drinks still contain tons of calories from heavy cream or milk and from artificial sugary syrups. Not to mention you’re probably getting less coffee than those other ingredients in your drink anyways.
Do Drink: Tea
There’s a reason why people have been drinking tea for centuries — it tastes great, is super healthy and gives you that caffeine boost you need. Tea contains lots of antioxidants and helps you detox and hydrate your body naturally! Experiment with different types and flavors, and if you have to sweeten it up, go for a little bit of natural raw sugar or honey.
Don’t Drink: Sports Drinks
After watching all these commercials showing famous athletes drinking sports drinks after they play, you are led to believe that these drinks will make you a better and healthier athlete. Well, you’re wrong. Sports drinks contain way too much sugar and sodium to be considered “healthy,” and if you look closely at the nutrition label, you’ll see that one bottle is often meant to be several servings. Because of all the sugar and sodium, sports drinks can leave you feeling less hydrated than you need to be.
Do Drink: Smoothies
They taste good and are good for you, what more could you want? After your next workout, take a pass on the sports drinks and make yourself a smoothie instead. Because they contain real food, they can be filling enough for a snack anytime of the day. Mix up several raw or frozen fruits (and maybe even sneak a few veggies in there) for a naturally sweet and yummy drink. If you want a little protein, try adding Greek yogurt, peanut butter or an organic protein powder. Have fun trying out new recipes until you find ones that you love and crave all the time!
