Healthy Drinks

Water is best to quench your thirst. Skip the sugary drinks, and go easy on the milk and juice.

There are many options for what to drink, but without a doubt, water is the best choice: It’s calorie-free, and it’s as easy to find as the nearest tap.

Drinks that are loaded with sugar are the worst choice: They provide lots of calories and virtually no other nutrients. Drinking them routinely can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Other drinks have pros and cons, but in moderation, can fit into a healthy diet:

• Coffee and tea: These are calorie-free, as long as you don’t load up on the sugar and cream. They are safe for most people and may even have some health benefits.
• Artificially sweetened drinks: These have no calories—a plus—but their long-term effects on weight and health are unknown, so it’s best to limit them, if you drink them at all.
• 100% fruit juice: Fruit juice has vitamins, but it is high in calories, so stick to no more than a small glass (four to six ounces) a day.
• Milk: Milk is also high in calories, so there’s no need to drink more than a glass or two of low fat or skim milk a day, and less is fine, if you get your calcium from other sources.
• Alcohol: Alcohol is both a tonic and a poison, and the difference lies in the dose and the person drinking it; moderation is key.

Resource: Healthy Drinks