Why You Should Drink a Little Less Juice
By Genevieve Cunningham
The fact that soda is less than nutritious has been known for quite a while now. More and more people are giving up their favorite flavored drink in favor of better health. While this is a great idea, many people are unknowingly choosing another flavored drink that may not be much healthier than their original choice. Yep … juice. Most of us think of juice as a healthy alternative to soda, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. Take a look at these reasons to put down the juice and reach for plain old H2O instead.
It’s Probably Packed With Sugar
In the grand scheme of things, juice is probably better than soda, but it’s still packed with sugar! Unless the juice is 100 percent natural (and sometimes even then!), it’s possible that there is plenty of added sugar in order to sweeten the flavor. Before buying any juice, make sure you read the label carefully. Real fruit juice might actually be bitter or not quite as sweet as anticipated. If your juice is as sweet as a soda or candy, you’re probably still drinking far too much sugar.
Drinking Calories is Never a Good Idea
For anyone wanting to watch their calories or lose weight, drinking your calories is just never a good idea. Again, read the label of your juice. One cup may contain hundreds of calories, and this very quickly cuts into your overall caloric intake. When you feel you can, just cut out drinking any calories at all or limit it to a very small number. Basic coffee has less than 100 calories per cup and water has zero! The fewer calories you drink, the more quality food you can add to your diet instead.
There are Probably Healthier Options
Let’s face it … unless you’re already drinking the proper amount of calories, you could probably make better choices about your fluid intake. Try focusing on drinking enough water, and see what happens from there. Chances are good that you’ll be too full to even consider soda or juice of any kind. If a healthier option is available, choose it! Your body, your mind, and your ultimate fitness goals will thank you in the long run.
While drinking juice from time to time is probably OK, you don’t want it to be your main fluid choice. You don’t need the calories or sugar, and honestly, you don’t even have to have the flavor! Make the transition from your current drink choice to water very slowly. Even though it may be tough, the benefits will be worth it for your long-term health.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.