In a previous blog post we managed to cover 6 healthy lifestyle tips related to beverages and drinks that should be avoided at all costs. To continue that theme, we have added these 6 additional liquids that you should consider completely cutting from your diet. If it’s difficult or not realistic for you to cut everything out all at once, start one-by-one and cut corners where possible. In another article, 7 Healthy Lifestyle Tips Even Your Husband Can Handle, we mentioned how soda can be diluted with sparkling water to help you wean off the cravings. Don’t hesitate to incorporate this philosophy where you see fit but make sure you stay on track to your goal and reduce sugar intake overall. (Continued from 6 Drinks That Are Slowly Killing You: Part One) 6. Liquefied Yogurt Drinks This may not be one of your staples but it is highly possible that you give it to your kids. Many of these drinkable yogurts, or yogurts on the go – come in very small packaging with a high calorie per square inch ratio and a ton of sugar. Because the yogurt is liquefied, the actual pro-biotic content is much lower as it is watered down, loaded with additives (corn syrup, fructose, malic acid, potassium sorbate, and sodium citrate) – instead of just the good stuff. So you, your kids – whoever is drinking your Yo-Go, isn’t really getting all you could out of a traditional yogurt serving. 7. Soda It seems every week there is a new claim, article, warning against sodas and the effects they have on various organs in the body. Recently, talk of increased risk of strokes has been flooding the media after studies with both people and on mice. It is clear that there are direct links to over-consumption of sodas leads to obesity, diabetes and kidney damage as well as elevated blood pressure. The amount of soda consumed in the United States is astronomical, and partially fuelled by fountain drinks that allow for consumers to have ‘unlimited refills’ and equate far more than one serving of soda in each jumbo sized glass. Never mind the obvious – sugar, sodium, chemicals; but soda is a diuretic that dehydrates your body and pumps caffeine into your system creating highs and lows that are challenging for your body to handle. 8. Flavored Water Ah yes, this one entertains me. A true victory for marketing teams at big beverage companies but a definite loss in terms of significant health benefits. You might remember Coca-Cola’s Vitamin Water getting sued in 2010 misleading people in their advertising claims. Essentially, there was no nutritional content whatsoever and Coca-Cola’s own lawyers argued that “no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking Vitamin Water was a healthy beverage.” Need we say more? 9. Frozen Cocktails The health police won’t reprimand you for indulging in the odd daiquiri on a hot summer day on a beautiful patio but you should at least know what’s in it before you opt for another. When it comes to cocktails, the mixers are the real calorie culprits. Case in point: According to the USDA, a 16-ounce pina colada can clock in at a whopping 880 calories, that’s more than 8 times the amount in a shot of rum. A couple refreshing alcoholic beverages with lower calories are vodka with water and fresh lemon juice, wine (Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay or Red) or gin & tonic with lime. For some more diet-friendly alcohol choices, check out this great guide from SparkPeople. 10. Lattes Yes, it is surprising that those double flavor shot lattes with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and caramel could be filled with fat but unfortunately, they are! Many Americans indulge in this guilty pleasure on a daily basis and the cost is not only great on your health and waistline, but also on your bank account. You probably don’t want to hear someone tell you to swap your delicious latte for a green tea but when you realize it’s the difference of 10g of fat and 500 calories – in a drink – it’s time to opt out. Many of these drinks have more calories than a slice of cheesecake…do you really want to consume that every day? 11. Milkshakes Hopefully this does not come as a shock to you or else you might be in trouble. Milkshakes are extremely high in fat, calories and sugar but the ones you get from fast food restaurants are even worse than those homemade ones you whip up in the blender. Medium-sized milkshakes from some of the most popular fast food places can get to over 80 grams of sugar in a single cup, nearly triple the recommended daily intake of sugar. 12. Sweet Iced Tea Sadly, there are many people opting for sweet tea at restaurants thinking it is the healthier option when, in reality, it’s nearly as sugary as soda. Many canned sweet teas are made from syrupy concentrate so if you really want to get your fix, opt for naturally brewed tea and add your own lemon, ice and natural sweetener such as stevia for a truly healthy substitute. Here’s a recipe for a great and healthy sweet tea using natural sweetener from Dr. Laura. Good luck on your journey to a healthier you! Eliminating these borderline toxic beverages is the perfect first step towards your goal and to reducing the risk of many cardiovascular and obesity related diseases. What healthy lifestyle tips help you get over cravings for sugary and unhealthy beverages? Let us know in the comment section below!
