It should come as no surprise that the population is heading towards a more eco and heart-friendly world. With the growing awareness of health, more and more people are seeking healthier habits. Cutting out soda is a great place to start due to its
What Are the Best Soda Alternatives?
One of the best alternatives to soda is sparkling water. Sparkling water is infused with carbon dioxide leaving it fizzy, fresh, and free of calories, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. Additionally, sparkling water contains no sodium or caffeine, making it a great healthy alternative to traditional sodas.
Ready to Ditch the Soda for Sparkling Water? Get Started Today.Healthy Alternatives to Soda
There are many healthy alternatives to soda out there that you can either make from home or buy pre-made at the store. Let's go over a few of our favorites:
1. Sparkling Water
Also known as seltzer water or soda water, sparkling water is the best alternative to soda. Sparkling water is free of added sugar, calories, and caffeine -- especially if made from home using a soda maker. It can help you stay hydrated without the competition of caffeine and sugar levels in your body.
The benefits of sparkling water are numerous as it can help with digestion and act as an appetite suppressor. The fizziness of the carbonated bubbles can make your stomach feel fuller than it really is, making it a great way to start your morning if you enjoy intermediate fasting! Not to mention, you can add almost any kind of healthy flavoring you can think of! Some of our favorite ingredients and recipes are lemon-lime juice, orange soda, and ginger beer!
If you already have a soda machine at home, make sure you sign up for the Soda Sense Refill Club to easily exchange CO2 canisters from your home and on YOUR schedule.
2. Herbal Tea
Herbal teas are a great beverage to substitute your traditional sodas as they can provide a great way to stay hydrated without all of the sugar from soda. You can even sweeten your tea with honey or stevia and it would still be healthier than soda! Tea can be both caffeine-free and caffeine-forward; the key component here, however, is that the caffeine from green tea for example is natural, whereas the caffeine found in soda is synthetically produced from pharmaceutical plants.
Similar to soda, there are so many tea flavors to choose from! Some of our favorites are chamomile, peppermint, and ginger. Switching from soda to herbal tea is a great alternative for people looking to relax or reduce their anxiety. To make tea from home, all you'll need is a pot or kettle (or even a microwave), water, and your favorite tea packet. Who says living a healthier lifestyle has to be time-consuming?
If you like tea, try making our Sparkling Green Tea recipe and Sparkling Hibiscus Tea recipe from home today!
3. Coconut Water
Coconut water is naturally rich in electrolytes, making it a great choice for athletes or anyone who is looking for an extra boost of natural energy instead of resorting to sugary sodas or sports drinks. Coconut water's natural sweetness makes it a great alternative to sugary sodas, and its potassium content helps reduce blood pressure. Coconut water is the perfect post-workout beverage for replenishing lost electrolytes during exercise or physical activity.
Coconut water is tastier than plain filtered water and healthier than soda. Plus, its full body taste leaves you feeling refreshed and full without craving anything sweeter. Originating from Southeast Asia, coconut water has been known to treat digestive problems and promote better skin health in addition to providing your body with the hydration it needs. It is also low in calories and fat, so it's a great option if you're also dieting!
4. Kombucha
Kombucha has been gaining popularity over the last few years. For those who aren't familiar, Kombucha is a fermented tea that has probiotic benefits that can help with staying healthy inside and out. Kombucha is slightly sweet and slightly acidic, which makes it a great alternative to soda. If you're looking to switch from sugary sodas to something healthier, kombucha is the perfect option. Not only does it have probiotic benefits, but due to its fermentation process, it also contains antioxidants that can be extremely beneficial to those who have liver damage. It also contains polyphenols, B vitamins, enzymes, and amino acids, which can help with digestion and boost your immune system.
Make it at home or buy it at the grocery store; both are superior options compared to consuming any kind of soda. If you do decide to make Kombucha, consider looking into the best ways to ferment from home to ensure you are following the necessary steps in taking care of the Mother.
Bonus tip: Try adding sparkling water to a kombucha concentrate and make it extra fizzy!
Related Article: 12 Deliciously Easy Summer Drinks
Wait, What's Wrong with Soda?
No matter how long you have been around on this planet, we are confident in saying you have heard of, if not tried yourself, the sugary and bubbly drink known as soda (or pop!). Soda has been around for centuries, but with modern science and nutrition, it has been found to be one of the worst beverages for your health. With an average of 10 teaspoons of sugar or more, sodas have a high glycemic load (GL) meaning they spike blood sugar quickly leading to fatigue, high blood pressure, heart disease, and even cancer.
Source Intermountain Healthcare
The high sugar content in sodas is also known to contribute to tooth decay and cavities due to its ability to create plaque buildup on teeth. Moreover, drinking soda has been found to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as it raises insulin levels in the body more quickly than other foods or drinks. Not to mention that many soda brands contain caffeine which can lead to jitters, insomnia, and an increase in anxious tendencies.
It's safe to say that there is a lot more wrong with soda than it is good. If you're ready to make the switch from soda to sparkling water, don't forget to stock up on extra CO2 canisters for your soda maker at home!
Why Are People Turning Away From Soda?
Over recent years, the health effects consuming soda can bare on the human body has truly been coming to light in an un-jarring way. Research shows that as little as one can of soda a day is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Thus, it makes sense why so many people are cutting out sodas and looking for healthier alternatives.
According to Geisinger, one study showed that 61% of people who drank diet soda daily had a higher likelihood of developing heart disease and even stroke-- especially if you're already at risk for heart disease, quitting sooner than later can quite literally save your life. Soda should transition away from being a regular habit to a nice treat from time to time. Your doctor likely does not recommend you consume a calorie and sugar-dense dessert after each meal. The same should be considered with consuming soda.
In attempts to be more health conscious, the world is becoming more aware of the importance to remain hydrated regularly. If you are walking down the street in your nearest city, many people carry around big water bottles to ensure they are regulating their water consumption each day. Imagine if those people paired a sip of water with a sip of soda, that needed H20 was then superseded by a sugary and caffeinated drink that will null and void their hydration efforts. By cutting out soda entirely from one's diet, their hydration would skyrocket without the constant competition for caffeine and sugar levels in the body.
Related Article: Healthier Alternatives to Coke
How Can I Make Healthy Soda From Home?
Making soda from home is a great way to choose healthier habits and control the ingredients your body is consuming. The best way to make healthy soda from home is to use a soda maker machine. The only upkeep that is required is simply refilling your 60L CO2 canisters. Using a CO2 refill club is an awesome alternative to refilling at the store. Ship and receive new canisters straight to your doorstop with the Soda Sense CO2 Refill Club and never be without bubbles.
Make the Switch and Choose a Healthier Alternative to Soda
The best soda alternatives are within arms reach and can even be found at your local grocery store. Our top 4 soda alternatives are best for keeping your body hydrated without all of the added sugar and calories from soda. A better tomorrow can start today, so toss out those toxic sodas and say hello to a world of possibilities starting with sparkling water.