5 Healthier Alternatives to Soda

1. Water

Okay, so this may seem like the obvious beverage of choice, but I actually know several people who drink very little, if any, pure water because they drink so much soda. I personally find water to be the most refreshing drink, but many people need to add something to it to make it palatable. If water just isn’t your thing, try adding some of your favorite berries, citrus or other fruits to it for more flavor. You may also want to start with drinks like lemonade if you still need something sweet.


2. Tea
Tea is my favorite flavored beverage of choice these days. If you can stand to drink it unsweetened, it’s even healthier, but even if you must add sugar at least you’re doing so without unnatural sweeteners, colors,etc. You can also use more natural sweeteners like honey, stevia or xylitol. If you need a caffeine fix, black and green varieties usually contain caffeine and also healthy antioxidants. If you prefer to leave the caffeine behind there are also several herbal teas, like my favorite, peppermint.


3. Coffee
It seems like every year there’s a new study out on whether coffee is good or bad for you. I don’t really side one way or the other. I do usually prefer tea over coffee, anyway. However, sometimes I just need a good dose of caffeine to get through the day and enjoy iced coffee throughout the year. Since I would usually turn to cold soda instead, I now opt for iced coffee with a bit of vanilla, honey and milk.


4. Make it Sparkly
Everything is better sparkly, right? …no? Well, trust me on this one. One of the biggest things that has helped me keep my beverage consumption natural is making my own soda. I make my own flavored simple syrups, fruit juice, tea, ciders, etc. to flavor the soda. Then mix with store-bought seltzer water (make sure it’s not flavored)

. Since when I want soda it’s usually more for the carbonation than the taste, this is the perfect fix.


5. Better Store-Bought Choices

At some point we’re all out and about with friends and family, on the road, etc. where we don’t have access to our natural beverages arsenal when that craving hits. Instead of reaching for your old soda pal, become familiar with some better store-bought choices. Look for sodas, teas and waters sweetened with natural sweeteners. Always double check the ingredients as labels can be misleading! 

This is an excerpt from an article originally written for www.smartsavvyliving.com.