Cut the Cola: 5 Healthier (and Delicious) Soda Alternatives

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Coca-Cola and other sodas on the market are notorious for completing the cravings of that "sweet fizz taste". It’s an obsession but those taking a sip are not having their health in mind. Soda has high amounts of added sugars and drinking it often can lead to vicious cycles of unhealthy behaviors such as drinking or eating foods with added sugars. The recommended intake of added sugars daily is less than 10% of your total daily calories. For example, if you consume around a 2,000-calorie diet, you shouldn’t consume more than 200 calories from added sugars. That is 12 teaspoons (50 grams). To make matters worse, soda has 36.8 grams according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Kelly Kenney, RD, a dietitian, for Everyday health says, “it's about 1.5 times more than the American Heart Association recommends a woman to have in an entire day.” It’s hard to avoid added sugar in drinks, so what are some better choices? Whether you want to change the amount of sugar you are eating or drinking alternative sodas or flavored drinks, it is possible to consume lower amounts of added sugar and flavoring. The substitutes listed below have less caffeine, fewer additives, fewer sweeteners, and fewer calories. In addition, some of these drinks have the same “phiz”, fruity, and sweet flavor that still craves your sweet tooth. Even though I only listed 5 alternatives, there are other options like Fruit-Flavored Sparkling water and mineral water, Sparkling Tea, Caffeinated Sparkling water, Herbal sparkling water, and water enhancers. Try out these alternative sodas below and see what you think!
References: Rayski, A. (2017, October 4). 9 Tasty Soda Alternatives. Retrieved from EverydayHealth.com website: https://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/soda-alternatives.aspx January 4, O. T. D. L. S., & 2021. (2021, January 4). 25 Healthy Soda Alternatives to Help You Quit Cola. Retrieved from Eat This Not That website: https://www.eatthis.com/healthy-soda-alternatives/

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