Changing Beverage Habits

Hi followers,

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Now, lets get down to the beverage talk. I was inspired to write this post because of a recent article I read from Men's Health. The fact is, most North American's have significantly changed their beverage consumption over the past half century.

I've checked the literature, and some researchers have found that we consume nearly double the number of calories from beverages than our relatives did mere decades ago. That's a few hundred extra calories a day! Now, we haven't evolved an increasing need for fluids over the years, so what's up? Well, the main reason is the increasing popularity of soft (sweetened) drinks.

Soft drinks are mainly composed of high fructose corn syrup, which is sweet tasting, but is also a top source of empty calories. Empty calories refer to calories consumed that have little or no nutritional value. Cutting down on empty calories is one of the simplest modifications to your diet, because you're not depriving your body of any real nutrition.

So what can you substitute your soft drinks for? ANYTHING else. Have a glass a day of any of the following (no huge tricks here). Milk is an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals that are crucial to bone health, and is also shown to decrease your risk of some cancers. Juice that is NOT FROM CONCENTRATE and that has no added sugars, is usually a good source of vitamins, especially vitamin C (don't go drinking a litre of this a day). Tea/coffee can provide antioxidants and caffeine to your diet. Antioxidants, as I'm sure you've heard, are important for overall health and can reduce your risk of several cancers. Caffeine can provide a mental and physical boost for athletes in an armchair or on a field. Last but not least, water. I shouldn't have to explain this one to you.

Cut soft drinks from your diet and save having to work off the thousands of extra calories you consume in a year. I recommend substituting any of the above in place of that can of pop. Why not combine a few with a scoop of protein and make a shake?!?! Keeps you fuller for longer, and won't make you crash like that high fructose corn syrup does.

Until next time, keep striving for that healthier you!

Cheers,

Complete Nutrition Canada Team