Healthier Beverage Options

We are constantly pounded with advertisers messages every day brainwashing us to use their beverages.  Coke, coffee chains, energy drinks, alcohol, soft drinks, ice teas.   All of these drinks are high in sugar and/or caffeine or other bad things.  They give us an immediate lift or high as they taste fantastic and we feel great.  However we get addicted to them.  Short term we get energy swings and feel less than 100%.  And long term they cause disease as they inhibit our body to perform vital functions.

I will not go into all of the bad things about caffeine here except to say that anything that takes 3-5 days to detox from would be called an addiction. Have you ever had a caffeine headache?  Also diet drinks are usually worse than their sugary counterparts as they contain very nasty chemicals.

Water is the best beverage to drink and, as you already know, you need 8 glasses per day (or 2 litres).  It hydrates us and allows the body to perform important cleansing functions.

But lets get real. Beverages are an important part of our society and it is difficult and perhaps unnecessary to have water 100% of the time.  Here are some alternatives to choose from when you are tempted.

1. Sparkling mineral waters can be refreshing especially with some lemon, ice and/or mint.  Watch out for the commercially flavored ones as most have plenty of sugar added. Be creative and make your own. Try adding a little (very little) Stevia for sweetness.

2. Choose a fruit juice over a sugary soft drink.  While they still contain sugars they are generally from a natural source (as long as sugar has not been added).

3. Try sparkling grape juices for celebrations.  These are mostly grape juice and carbonated water and usually do not have added sugar.

4. Have an herbal tea instead of a caffenated black tea.

5. Instead of a flat white order a soy chai latte (my personal fav).

6. If you like hot drinks there are many alternatives around (caro, inka, lemon, ginger, dandelion tea) at the supermarket to try.  They are never going to match coffee but could be a way of transitioning to healthier drinks.

7. Make a fresh fruit smoothie or a freshly squeezed juice.

Give some a try.  Realize that if you are hooked on the bad things it can take a couple of weeks for your tastebuds to adjust - but they will.  Give it a chance and enjoy your newfound vitality and energy with healthier habits!

SPARKLING LIME JUICE

This is a new favorite drink of mine.  It has a subtle flavor, is refreshing, quick to make and without any sugar!

INGREDIENTS  (1 GLASS)

• juice of 1 lime

• mint leaves

• 6 large cubes of ice

• sliced lemon and lime for garnish

• soda water or sparkling mineral water

METHOD

1. Squeeze juice into a glass and add mint and ice and garnishes.

2. Pour the sparkling water into the glass.

You can also use lemons, oranges or grapefruits.