The consumption of sugary beverages, such as soda is much too high in the USA. Approximately 63% of youth and 49% of adults drink sugar-sweetened beverages daily. During the summer, it’s so easy to reach for a cold soda, pop the top, and guzzle down the cool drink to quench our thirst.

BUT…does this quench our thirst? What exactly happens to us when we drink soda? This video is a good reminder for a soda addict, such as myself, just how horrible soda is for the body!

THIS POSTER IS GOING ON MY FRIDGE!

While water should always be your go to drink, at all times of the year, but especially during the summer heat, we all need a refreshing treat now and then. I’ve gathered together 10 amazing summer drinks, that are healthier than regular soda. I tried to find  the healthiest drinks possible, but,  some do have fruit juice in them. Now, fruit juice is a bit better than soda, (but not much). Juice does a few remnants of nutrients, but it also has natural sugars. In some cases, juices may contain as much sugar as a soda. (SEE ABOVE). However, juice does not have the added caffeine, flavorings, colorings or phosphoric acid, which is contained in soda.

NOTE: I urge you to use fresh pressed juiced, as often as you can, if possible, as the vitamin and mineral content is MUCH, MUCH, MUCH higher than store bought juice. If you cannot press your own, try to buy organic brands. I also remind you these are for occasional treats, and not to replace your regular water intake. ENJOY!!!

SUMMER BERRY CITRUS SPRITZER

EATING WELL

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries, or a mixture, plus more for garnish
• ½ cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus lime slices for garnish
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 cups lemon-lime seltzer or soda water
• Ice cubes

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE 

FRESH MINT ICED TEA

EATING WELL

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 green tea bags
• 8 cups boiling water
• 10-15 fresh mint springs (1½ cups)
• Honey or stevia (optional)
• Ice cubes

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

ORANGE SPORTS DRINK

SKINNY MS.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 quart of water (we use distilled water)
• 2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Sea salt
• 1 pint no sugar added orange juice
• Juice from one lemon

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

WATERMELON BREEZE

SKINNY MS.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups chopped seedless watermelon, Chilled
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice, no sugar added
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 mint leaf

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

HIBISCUS ICED TEA SPARKLER

DIETHOOD

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups boiling water
• 8 bags hibiscus tea 
• 1/2 cup honey
• ice
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• strawberries for garnish

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

VIRGIN PINA COLADA

HOUSE OF YUMM

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup cream of coconut (usually found in a can by the Hispanic foods)
• 3/4 cup pineapple juice (I used canned juice)
• 2 cups ice
• Optional garnishes – Maraschino cherries and pineapple chunks

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

2 INGREDIENT SKINNY SLUSH

THE RECIPE REBEL

From THE RECIPE REBEL, here are a few ways to make a 2-ingredient slush

1. Frozen mango and pineapple juice
2. Frozen blueberries and grape juice
3. Frozen mixed berries and orange juice
4. Frozen raspberries and cranberry juice
5. Frozen berries – any kind — and iced tea

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE (and more ideas)

STRAWBERRY COLADA SMOOTHIE

COOKING CLASSY

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz fresh strawberries , chilled, hulled
• 1 ripe banana , peeled and frozen
• 1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple
• 1 (5.3 oz) container coconut Greek yogurt
• 1 1/4 – 1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk beverage (the kind found in the dairy isle)*

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

ROASTED PEACH AND STRAWBERRY FIZZ

USE YOUR NOODLES

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 peaches
• 600 g strawberries
• 1 1/2 cup apple juice
• 1 1/2 sparkling water
• abundance of crushed ice

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

NON-ALCOHOLIC SANGRIA

SIMPLE VEGAN BLOG

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 cups white grape juice (1 l)
• 1/4 cup blueberries (40 g) + 3/4 cup blueberries (120 g)
• 1 cup orange juice (250 ml)
• Juice of 1 lime + 2 limes
• 2 oranges
• 2 bananas
• 2 peaches

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE RECIPE

 

SOURCES:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html