A new study shows that diet soda and its artificial sweeteners lead to all sorts of health problems.
Crystal Lite and other artificially-sweetened water enhancers? They aren't much better.
Let's do the soapbox thing for a bit:
An occasional soda, diet or regular, won't kill you. It's fine in moderation and can be incorporated into a healthful diet. The occasional diet Cherry Coke from J.D.'s Chippery makes my day.
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| J.D.'s Chippery |
So what are some alternatives, particularly on a hot summer day?
Water is the best choice but it can get boring. Consider these options:
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| Water with watermelon |
- Water with produce - lemons, limes, oranges, berries, cucumber slices, mint, watermelon cubes, etc. The combinations are endless. My daughter loves fruit-infused water.
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| Kusmi, Tazo, Stash - all great options over icw |
- Iced Tea - again, this is something that gives you endless options. I am in love with Kusmi tea that I picked up in Paris. I keep a few bags in my desk at work. I simply pour hot water over a teabag in a heat resistant cup and let it cool. You can actually get two or three uses out of one teabag. If you use good tea, you don't need sweetener. Double bonus: it brings back good memories of my trip to Paris.
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| Kusmi Detox Grapefruit tea - a beautiful green, grapefruit tea, delicious over ice |
- Sparkling water - Perrier makes some wonderful waters that are naturally flavored with lemon, lime and grapefruit. Whole Foods has a delicious mint sparkling water. My favorite is simple, unflavored Pellegrino. I enjoy squeezing lime into a big glass of it and adding some shredded mint for a virgin mojito-esque beverage. I buy Pellegrino by the case at Costco.
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| Kombucha & San Pellegrino |
- Kombucha - this is a lower-calorie option you can pick up just about anywhere.
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| LOVE! |
- Coconut water - love this stuff on a hot day, particularly after a workout.
