Nutrition: The Junk - Drinks

A ship in harbor is safe - but that is not what ships are for.  ~John A. Shedd, Salt from My Attic

Put down the soda. That extra sugar add's up pretty quickly, and truthfully does it quench your thirst or hunger for sugar? Although water may seem bland it can give you energy. It's common to drink the 12oz caffeinated drink to get you through the next hour, but it is more effective to drink a glass of water. Not only does it not slow you down with artificial chemicals and sugar but it most certainly lasts longer than a quick fix energy drink. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water every day will boost your energy, stamina and overall happiness. And who doesn't want all three of those?

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I know drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day seems like a lot. It means a few more trips to the bathroom, but even if you swap one soda a day for a glass of water you can improve your health. And if truthfully, you would rather have the health problems then drink boring flavorless water here are some other great alternatives: *2

- Water with cut up slices of fruits or vegetables; lemons, strawberrys, watermelons or cucumbers. 

- All natural Green Tea (not the Lipton or Arizona) 

- Tonic and Lime (without the gin) 

- Red Wine (But limited to 4oz don't get carried away! Remember it's just a substitute for taste) 

- Vegetable blend (blend your vegetables together to be creative and healthy) 

- Soy milk (Not as bad as popular belief, try something new.) 

- Coffee (without cream, milk or sugar) 

Recipe *4

Broccoli Blueberry Smoothie 

For one smoothie combine 

• 1 cup of frozen blueberries
• 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli
• 1 cup of 100 percent cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup of low-fat plain yogurt

Sweet Veggie Smoothie

For one smoothie combine

• 1 cup apple juice
• 1 cup of sliced apple (sweet tasting apples are better)
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 1/2 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup of cucumber (peeled and sliced)
• 2 cups of ice
• a dash of nutmeg or cinnamon (optional)

Why not go out on a limb?  Isn't that where the fruit is?  ~Frank Scully

References: 

Pictures

1. http://www.sugarstacks.com/beverages.htm

2. http://www.everydayhealth.com/photogallery/soda-alternatives.aspx?xid=tw_weightloss_20120109_soda#/slide-1

3. http://www.thatsfit.ca/2010/06/18/refreshing-summer-drink-how-to-make-healthy-cucumber-water/
4. http://www.smoothieweb.com/category/vegetable-smoothies/