These days meal prepping is all the hype. Planning out breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will help you stick with your diet and lifestyle goals. And while what we eat is extremely important, what we drink also plays a huge role in our overall health. Not drinking enough can leave you dehydrated and tired. A lack of fluid can also cause you to become hungrier more often. Think you can’t boost your health through a straw? Think again! Here are 5 drinks that are sure to improve your health.
- Water
One of the most important yet underrated drinks is water. While many of us can agree that the flavor does get boring quickly, water is a must for your overall health. Water helps to wash toxins out of the body. It also keeps your skin and other vital organs hydrated. Aside from health benefits, drinking water before a meal will keep cravings and hunger at bay, and keep your stomach feeling full longer.
It’s recommended that adults drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Add citrus fruit such as lemons and limes or fresh berries and herbs to your water to make it a bit more flavorful. You can also boost your water consumption by eating foods high in water content such as watermelon, cucumber, cantaloupe, and spinach.
- Protein Smoothie
A diet high in protein offers all sorts of health benefits. For one, protein breaks down more slowly in the body, meaning you don’t feel feel fuller, longer. Protein is also useful in maintaining muscle mass throughout the body. This is especially important if you’re trying to lose weight but want to lose fat, not muscle. For healthy skin, nails, and bones, protein is a must.
For a protein smoothie, most people add a scoop of protein into their smoothie. There is a wide variety of protein powders, including whey, casein, and plant-based. To add even more protein into your smoothie, consider using:
- Greek yogurt
- Chia, hemp or flax seeds
- Nut butters, such as almond or peanut
Starting your day off with a huge serving of protein will keep you full for hours. This will help with those mid-morning cravings and hunger pangs.
- Green Goddess Smoothie
The health benefits of vegetables cannot be overstated. Studies have found that eating more than five servings of vegetables a day can reduce the risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke, and even potentially prolong your life. But eating that many veggies is easier said than done. If you’re looking for an easy way to get a good amount of vitamins and nutrients, try a green goddess smoothie. These smoothies are usually a mix or fruit and vegetables and are often a beautiful bright green color.
Common vegetables to add to a green goddess smoothie include spinach, kale, avocado, and lettuce. Combined with banana, strawberries, and coconut water, you’ve got a delicious and healthy drink that is also high in nutrients. Sip it throughout the day and enjoy knowing you’re getting in your veggies without even trying!
- Superfood Smoothie
Superfoods are touted for their large amount of vitamins and nutrients. Eating superfoods is a good way to ensure you’re healthy inside and out. Some of the best superfoods include kale, pineapple, strawberries, goji berries, blueberries, flaxseed, and bananas. Together these foods offer all sorts of antioxidants and important vitamins. Of course, mixing all of these superfoods together is sure to be a huge flavor punch. If you want to get the most out of your superfood smoothie, consider adding a superfood powder blend. This is a quality mix of superfoods that provide a variety of vitamins and nutrients that you need each day.
- Herbal Tea
Herbal tea has been used for centuries to treat all sorts of ailments. These days there are dozens of herbal teas to choose from. One of the most common herbal teas is green tea. Green tea is well-known for its high antioxidant content. The tea has also proven to help with fat loss, improved memory, and reduced risk of health conditions such as cancer.
Not a green tea fan? No worries! There are tons of other teas to incorporate into your diet. Ginger tea helps improve digestion and prevent bloating. Peppermint tea helps with stomach aches, heartburn, and other stomach issues. Other healing herbal teas include chamomile, green rooibos, black, and echinacea tea. Herbal teas can be drank hot or cold and can be finished off with a touch of natural sweetener like honey or agave nectar. Add a splash of almond milk for a nutritious and flavorful beverage, hot or cold.
Conclusion
For those days when you need a healthy meal but don’t have much time, reach for a healthy beverage. Be sure to stock your home full of these beverages to ensure you remain hydrated with only the best liquids. Goodbye cola! Here’s to the healthiest sips you’ll ever take! What are your favorite teas and smoothies? Leave us a response in the comments below
Related:
Challenge of Staying Healthy in the Modern Age
Here Are 7 of the Best Seasonal Superfoods
What Does it Really Mean to Eat “Healthy” Food?
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