You Are What You Drink: Sip Smart!

We’ve all heard the adage, “You are what you eat.” But you’re also what you drink! Beverages are some of the sneakiest sources of refined sugar, artificial flavorings, food dyes, and questionable food additives. If you’re watching what you eat for the sake of your health, it’s equally important to watch what you drink.

Beverages: The Worst Offenders

• Soda and Juice:
  Because drinks like soda and fruit juice are high in refined sugar (often in the form of high fructose corn syrup), it’s best to steer clear. The acidic and sugary nature of these drinks pulls minerals from the body, suppresses the immune system, and contributes to chronic dehydration. Instead, try flavored sparkling water, green juice made with all veggies, and kombucha.
  

• Speciality Coffee Drinks:
  If you enjoy treating yourself to a fancy coffee now and then, go for it, but be mindful of what’s added to your brew. A White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks, for example, packs a whopping 46 grams of sugar! That’s more than a Coke. Many coffee drinks also contain artificial flavorings and seed oils, both of which can trigger inflammatory reactions in the body and contribute to weight gain, hormone imbalance, and gut issues. Read labels carefully and consider getting a black coffee and adding your own milk or sweetener so you can control the quality and quantity of what goes into your cup.
  

• Sports Drinks:
  While it seems nonsensical that sports drinks would be unhealthy, the fact remains that most are heavily sweetened and colored with toxic food dyes. Seek out healthier alternatives instead, such as electrolyte water, or learn how to make your own!
  

What About Alcohol?

When it comes to alcohol, you won’t find a single study that says drinking in excess does your body any good. Sure, a glass of wine here and there may offer some antioxidants, but on the whole alcohol is not a health food and does not contribute to wellness. So treat it for what it is. As you pursue a healthy lifestyle, focus on filling your life up with nourishing foods and lots of water–and then enjoy the occasional drink in good spirits knowing that it’s a small part of your life, not your whole life.

If you know you’ll be drinking a bit more than usual (for a social occasion, holiday, etc.), make an extra effort to stay hydrated with water as well.

Remember, while beverages may seem harmless, they build up or break down your body just as much as food, so make good choices and sip smart!