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

-
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/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more