Trying to Kick the Soda Habit? Here are Five Great Alternatives to Quench Your Thirst.

We know regular soda makes you fat, causes cavities and leads to diabetes.

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. 

J.D.'s Chippery

But if you're making soda or the fake stuff a daily diet staple, then you're doing yourself a disservice.

So what are some alternatives, particularly on a hot summer day?

Water is the best choice but it can get boring.  Consider these options:

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. 

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. 

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. 

Kombucha & San Pellegrino

• Kombucha - this is a lower-calorie option you can pick up just about anywhere.

LOVE!

• Coconut water - love this stuff on a hot day, particularly after a workout.