July 4th is almost here! For many people, the best way to celebrate the Fourth of July is with friends, barbecue, and a few cold drinks. But have you ever looked at the calorie counts and sugar levels for most popular and commercial drinks? Or beers? You can ask yourself if a day of indulging is worth waking up the next morning feeling bloated, puffy, and achey?
Instead of reaching for sugary mixers and too-sweet wine this holiday, why not try these non-alcoholic drink recipes. They’ll give you a chance to relax without ruining your diet!
Kombucha ice tea- kombucha has a well earned reputation as a probiotic powerhouse. This fermented tea can help you boost your health by improving your body’s efficiency at absorbing nutrients, improving your mood, and helping you lose weight. I would suggest you buy a low sugar tea (click here for a good one that’s easy to find). You can add some lemons and a bit more sweetness (I like honey) if you need to.
Fruit smoothie- In a large blender add all these and blend:
mixed berries (raspberries, strawberries or blackberries are great)
1 whole pineapple—remove skin and cut up in smaller pieces (you can also used canned but without the sugar water)
½ cup of lime juice
Stevia, or raw honey, to desired sweetness
2½ cups of sparkling or seltzer water
3 cups of ice.
Blend and serve chilled!
Flavored water- Love adding fresh fruit (berries and lime or citrus and berries) and lots of ice to drink all day.
Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the things you love- being with friends and family without the headache the next day!