5 Simple Festive Healthy Drink Swaps

Hey there,

We’re heading into one of the biggest times of the year for overdoing it with sugar… 

The holidays!

And one of the biggest sources of added sugars is what we DRINK.

Current guidelines call for getting less than 10% of your daily calories from added sugars — if you eat 2,000 calories a day, that’s 200 calories (or about 12 teaspoons, or 42 grams). 

To give you an idea: 10 oz. soda has 10 teaspoons of sugar! 🤯

Did you know that drinking sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with:

• Weight gain

• Obesity

• Type 2 diabetes

• Heart disease

• Kidney disease

• Non-alcoholic liver disease

• Tooth decay and cavities

• Gout

• And more

OUCH.

On the flip side, if you limit or reduce (or better yet, stay away from!) sugary drinks, it can help you maintain a healthy weight AND eat a healthier diet in general.

With all that in mind, I have 5 beverage swaps for you today that are perfect for the coming holiday season.

• Festive infused water:Substitute sugary drinks or alcoholic beverages with water that’s been infused with cinnamon and apple, pomegranate and mint, or cranberry and orange.
  To make: Wash the fruit, slice it, and add it and any other flavorings to your water. Let it sit in the fridge for at least an hour before drinking. 

• Non-dairy eggnog:Nogs made with non-dairy milk tend to be lower in added sugars and unhealthy fats while still being creamy and delicious. Just make sure you read the label to get the lowest amount of added sugar.

• Ginger or mint herbal teas:Not only are these teas comforting and tasty, but they can also help soothe your stomach.

• Vegetable juice:Instead of reaching for fruit juice, go veg instead. Again, check the label for the sugar content. (Tip: shop for these in a specialty shop or in the grocery produce section for healthier options).

• Cocoa:DIY your hot chocolate with antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, unsweetened oat or almond milk, and sweeten it with a touch of honey or maple syrup. Yum!

Over time, simple acts like swapping out some of your old go-to’s with healthier options can add up to big results!

Committed to your health,

Francois, MES, CES, CLT

Chief Medical & Cancer Exercise Specialist | Licensed Menopause Champion