How to Ditch Your Sugary Drink Habit

Did you know that a bottle of fruit juice could have 40g of sugar in it and still have the "no added sugar" stamp on the front?  So, beware, anytime you see the No Sugar Added icon, take a closer look at the label to see how much sugar is already in the product before making a decision.

Keep in mind that the American Heart Association suggests 24 grams of sugar per day for women and 36 grams per day for men. This will be helpful information for staying mindful of your sugar intake. Personally, I think that’s still too much -  the lower, the better!

I have had such great success with clients cutting out sugar, especially when they are suffering from an auto immune disease or are dealing with inflammation in their bodies such as arthritis. Sugar fuels inflammation!

Back to the sugary drinks. Let’s talk about soda. On a hot summer day an ice-cold soda can be really appealing. I remember those days when I was a kid. (A long time ago….)

Many of you know that soda isn’t good for you, and it can be a hard habit to kick. If sugary drinks are a part of your life, they've probably been a part of it for a very long time. Any habit can be challenging to give up, but soda can be especially tricky, given its addictive nature.

If giving up sugary drinks has been on your mind, I want to assure you there's a slow, reasonable way of doing it.  If you're worried about caffeine withdrawal headaches, missing it too much, or just feeling nervous about a significant shift in your life, let's work on it slowly. Baby steps often get us to our destination in a far more lasting way than trying it cold turkey. If you need help feel free to reach out.

I promise you'll feel so much better when you start getting these artificial sweeteners and other ingredients out of your system - you'll wonder what took you so long to ditch it.

One thing that helps is having a replacement, so here are a few alternatives to soda as you're making your switch...

Fruit-infused water

If you crave something sweet, get a water bottle and some fresh fruit and put them together. You'll stay hydrated, and it will taste sweet and refreshing. Plus, you get bonus vitamins from the fruit. Some of my favorite infused water recipes include strawberry and basil, watermelon and lime, and orange. Oh, and fresh mint leaves are always a “go-to” for me. 

Flavored sparkling water

La Croix or one of the many other available brands can be lifesavers when you're craving a fizzy soda. These may take some time to get used to when you're switching from soda but try to find a flavor you enjoy and stick with it until you develop a taste for it.  Once you do, you'll wonder how you drank those sugary, syrupy sodas!

Black coffee

Coffee is best in moderation and best when you drink it without adding anything to it, but you can work your way there if necessary. Coffee is an excellent way to not go through caffeine withdrawals, so sip on a cup a day to keep the headaches at bay.  After a week or two, you could go to a mix of caffeine and decaf and work your way down to no caffeine (if this is something you're striving for).

Unsweetened iced tea

There's nothing like iced tea on a hot day. If you're from the south, though, you may be looking at me sideways when I mention drinking it unsweetened. Add just a little bit of maple syrup to sweeten it up without going into sugar overload.

Herbal tea

Herbal teas served hot or cold can really perk up your taste buds while providing great health benefits. Green tea, chamomile, chai, peppermint, and others all have a wonderful flavor that will keep you from consuming excess sugar. I love putting small glass bottles with herbal teas in my fridge. Often times I add those fresh mint leaves of mine…

Start working a healthier beverage alternative into your lifestyle as you phase out your sodas, and you'll find better success in the long run, not to mention better health! Good luck!