When it comes to grabbing something quick that can quench your thirst, plain old water just doesn't cut it. At times like these, you try to reach for healthy drinks, but end up with something quite the opposite.
Hi readers and welcome back to Healthy Mind - Think Big! There certainly are a lot of drink choices out there. But you can't always believe what advertisers say these days. Phrases that suggest health benefits like "All Natural" and "Low Calorie" don't always mean. What do you think they do? This is why it's up to you to educate yourself about proper nutrition and read the label. In today's post we will be telling you about popular beverages you thought were healthy, but are not. From fruit smoothies, sports drinks, vitamin water, and lemonade to whole milk, and more, read until the end to learn about all of them.
01
ALMOND MILK
You're better off drinking a glass of water and snacking on a handful of raw almonds. As it turns out, the majority of almond milk you would find at a grocery store is only made up of about 2% real almonds and lacks most of the healthy fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals you get from eating the nuts in their solid form. In addition, many almond milk products contain sweeteners and added sugars. Silk vanilla almond milk, for example, contains 16 grams of sugar per cup which burdens you with unnecessary and empty calories.
What's your favorite type of milk? Is it regular milk? soy? or something else? Tell us quickly below in the comment section!
02
SWEETENED ICED TEA
Tea is no doubt a good drink, but it's full of disease-busting antioxidants. But syrupy sweet iced teas contain a ton of sugar, practically canceling out all the health benefits. Some popular brands have over 30 grams of sugar in one bottle. Yes, that's more like a dessert. Unsweetened iced tea is your best bet, whether you're getting a bottled one or at a restaurant, since it contains zero added sugar. If plain is too bitter, add one teaspoon of sweetener yourself. This will be less than the pre-mixed tea. Squeeze a lemon or orange on top of it for an additional flavor boost.
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03
FLAVORED COCONUT WATER
Part of the reason coconut water is so hot right now is that it's packed with electrolytes, like potassium. One 16-ounce container supplies more than 25% of the mineral you need for the day. Electrolytes are minerals that help keep your body's fluids in balance so that your body is hydrated. You probably don't need to sip it all day, but it can be helpful if you're sweating a lot during the summer or an activity. Read labels carefully, though. Flavored versions, like pineapple or mango, can pack more than 30 grams of sugar per 16-ounce container. Some have less because they use calorie-free sweeteners. The best thing to do would be to stick to plain coconut water, which doesn't contain added sugar. Drink it when you need to hydrate, not just casually throughout the day. Remember it still contains calories.
04
SWEETENED YOGURT DRINKS
Probiotics are such a hot buzzword right now because, as research shows, the beneficial bacteria help keep your gut healthy. So you may be trying to get more in your diet. Enter probiotic yogurt drinks or kefir. They can be a healthy choice, but flavored versions rely on sugar to decrease the yogurt's traditional tang. A small bottle may pack 26 grams of sugar and contain multiple forms of sweet stuff, including sugar, fructose, fruit puree, or juice. Plain versions are your best bet since the only sugar they contain is from the milk itself. A typical 1-cup serving of plain yogurt contains around 12 grams of sugar. If that's not happening, consider skipping non-fat varieties and going for low-fat instead. In one popular brand making that switch could save you nearly two teaspoons of sugar per serving.
05
ZERO-CALORIE DRINKS
Anyone who used to be a fan of soda or juice is usually a fan of zero-calorie drinks and drink mixes. You know, they're either those little packets of powder you add to your water to make them taste like juice, or they're already flavored and sold in cans or bottles at the grocery store. Obviously, the "Zero Calorie" component makes it an attractive choice in comparison to full-calorie drinks. People think they can drink as much of this stuff as they want and never gain a pound. Shockingly enough though, your body is smarter than that. When it senses something sweet, it anticipates calories. Since these super sweet drink mixes don't have any calories, your body gets confused, and then ramps up your hunger hormones. So you start to crave high-calorie foods like chips, crackers, cookies, and anything else you can quickly shove into your mouth. Try squeezing some lemon or lime into some sparkling water for a change. It may not be as sweet as you like, but at least it won't lead to a terrible craving later on.
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06
SPORTS DRINKS
Gym freaks, endurance runners, and people who do a lot of physically demanding work often rely on drinks like Gatorade and Powerade. For a while now, they've been successfully positioning the market as the best drinks for Rehydrating and Replenishing electrolytes. The bad news about them is most of them contain high fructose corn syrup, too much sodium, and almost just as much sugar as soda. Similar to energy drinks, sports drinks can cause you to experience a short burst of great performance followed by a plummeting crash. Unless you're spending the day trekking through a hot desert on foot, you don't really need this type of drink. The trick is to hydrate with plain water and feed yourself enough healthy carbs and protein before you work out. Adding a very small amount of unprocessed sea salt to your water as you sip on it throughout your workout can be a helpful option too.
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07
WHOLE MILK
We all swear upon the health-promoting qualities of milk. Rich in calcium and other vital nutrients, it is beneficial for people of all age groups. But it does contain saturated fat, which raises cholesterol levels and triggers inflammation. It also leads to clogged arteries. However, this doesn't mean that you should give up drinking milk. All you need to do is opt for skimmed fat-free or 1% low-fat milk. It will provide you with all the vital nutrients like Calcium, Protein, Vitamin D, B12, and Potassium. It also combats bad stuff from entering your body.
08
FANCY COFFEE DRINKS
Alright, so many people probably know on some level that their favorite Starbucks drink isn't all that healthy. For some reason, though, tons of people are still convinced it's a good idea to use all the calories that come packed into their lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos to replace real food for breakfast. You may be getting an 800-calorie burst of sweet, frothy energy, but the quality of those calories earns you an F in terms of nutrition. All that saturated fat from the cream-based ingredients, plus sugar-loaded syrups and flavoring leave you with empty calories. These are devoid of any significant nutritional value. Plus they can cause you to crash and feel sluggish later on. If you absolutely can't give up coffee, try switching to drinking it black and limiting how much you drink. While sugary coffee drinks may not be healthy, regular plain coffee has a wide range of health benefits.
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09
VITAMIN WATER
The appeal behind certain brands of vitamin-infused beverages is pretty self-explanatory. If it has vitamins, it's gotta be healthier than pretty much any other drink, right? That's exactly what the companies want you to think. It's true that vitamin beverages have vitamins added to them, but don't think for a second that makes up for all the other junk you can find added to them, too. For example, One bottle of Vitaminwater contains a whopping 33 grams of sugar. That's even more than what you get from the average can of soda. If you really want vitamins, try asking your doctor for an appropriate supplement. or better yet, eat a balanced diet of real and healthy foods, and drink lots of water.
10
FRUIT SMOOTHIES
Yes, fruit on its own is good for you. But a 32-oz smoothie can pack as many as 700 calories with fewer than 2 grams of protein, thanks to the high sugar content. It's even worse if you get one from a fast-food chain. That's like eating a whole pineapple, entire mango, and one cup each of blueberries and strawberries in a single sitting. But why is that bad? Calories from any food, even healthy things to drink get stored away in the fat cells if you eat more than you can burn. Not all smoothies are unhealthy, though. If you mix fruit with vegetables or greens, healthy fats, and a source of protein, it can be a super nutritious meal.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. You should never use content in my writing as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or another qualified clinician. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if indicated for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog. Thank you.
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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. You should never use content in my writing as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or another qualified clinician. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if indicated for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog. Thank you.