So, you made a no-sugar pledge to your bestie but now you’re just sick of water, can’t drink another drop of the flavorless liquid, and can’t stop thinking of your favorite sugar-filled soda-pop when running it out on the treadmill? What to do? — try one of these six good-for-you drinks that taste way better than water. Your blood sugar and your waistline will thank you.
1. Coconut water
It’s just like water but better. It’s rich in electrolytes and also good for the heart. The mysterious liquid comes from the inside of a young coconut and actually serves as a suspension for the developing endosperm. Coconut water weighs in at 19 calories per 100 ml and is 95% water and 4% carbohydrates.
2. Iced Tea
But not the bad-for-you iced tea. Instead of guzzling the overly, artificially sweetened ice tea, try making your own from a tea bag. Boil water, add an herbal or fruit flavored tea bag, and steep. After the temperature drops, store the tea in the refrigerator to chill, and after a little while, you have your very own good-for-you iced tea.
3. Vegetable Juice
Natural fruit juice can still be very sugary, but vegetable juice will carry much less sugar. Juice fresh vegetables using a cold-press juicer and add a splash of lemon or vinegar to finish it off and sharpen the flavor. Not only will vegetable juice hydrate, it will nourish your body too.
4. Kombucha
Kombucha is the talk of the town. Kombucha is a fermented tea drink created by developing a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. It is strongly probiotic. Some say it is merely glorified pond water while others say it is the end-all and be-all of the probiotic world. Either way, most people would agree it does more than merely hydrate.
5. Dry Soda
Dry soda is also rising in popularity. Dry is an adjective borrowed from the bartending world that means “not sweet.” Dry sodas still contain carbonation but they very low in sugar. They’re ideal for infrequent use by someone weaning off of sugary soft-drinks. Many stores offer pre-mixed drink options; find one that suits your fancy.
6. Infused water
Make your own healthy drink by simply adding crushed fruit, herbs, or veggies to water. It may seem like this option is just for those that have run out of options, but don’t knock it till you try it. Infusing water with fresh produce can open a world of opportunity. Also, try mixing it up even more and starting off with a base of milk instead of water; that’s when things get really fun.
Try these drinks before or after your next bout on the treadmill.