5 Healthy Alternatives to Plain Water

Water is great for weight control and feeling energized – but what can we drink when we’re bored with plain water?

Try these additions and alternatives that won’t add pounds or zap your energy:

1) Berry Cubes.

Fill an ice cube tray with the juice and pulp from berries! Put 8 to 10 blackberries, blueberries or raspberries in a bowl, and using a tablespoon, mash them – press down on the fruit repeatedly (a few pieces at a time) until you have a mixture of the fruit pulp and juice. Then pour/scoop the fruit into the ice tray’s individual compartments and freeze. When you’re ready for a drink of water, pop out a cube or two and plop them into your glass.

2) Fruit Infusions.

You can also freeze summer fruit that’s about to be overripe – pineapple, peaches, kiwi, watermelon. And of course, you can squeeze the juice from a fresh lemon or other citrus fruits in ice cube tray compartments and freeze, or infuse a whole pitcher or jug with sliced fruits and berries. I love the mixture of strawberry and basil, and the flavors of watermelon, cucumber and mint (see recipes!).

3) Off the Shelf.

You can also buy infused waters off the shelf; make sure you select ones that contain no added sodium, sugars or preservatives. A few to try are: Spindrift (sparkling); Hint (sparkling or regular) and Perrier Grapefruit (sparkling).

4) Go Green.

Vegetable juices, especially green juices made with parsley, spinach, kale, celery, carrots, beets, fennel, ginger, and mint, are a great way to get your fluids and a lot of nutrition. Home juicing or cold-pressed at your local juice bar is best.

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5) Eat Your Hydration.

Summer is a great time to choose fruits and veggies that will help keep you hydrated and provide nutritional boosts.

Some favorites include:

• Welcome Watermelon. It’s in the name, and it’s in season all summer! This hydrating fruit is 92% water and in just one serving you get about five ounces of water. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and the antioxidant lycopene.
• Cantaloupe and honeydew melon are naturally sweet sources of vitamin A and 90% water by weight.
• Strawberries have loads of fiber, are an antioxidant powerhouse, and are packed with vitamin C. Every berry is 92% water.
• Cucumbers contain mostly water, which makes them very cooling. They are a great source of vitamin B and K, rich in potassium and magnesium and contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that fight disease.
• Celery contains potassium, calcium and magnesium, with 95% water content.

Whatever water source you choose, you’ll be doing your body a huge favor by staying hydrated!

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