Whether the weather is unbearably hot or freezing cold, we all love to settle down with a hot or cold drink, respectively, to give ourselves a little treat. Unfortunately, the tough reality is that most of the drinks we enjoy aren’t terribly healthy for us, and drinks that are good for us often don’t taste amazing. To find that comfortable medium, here are some drinks that are enjoyable and health conscious.
Kombucha
Kombucha has been on the rise in recent years as a trendy, healthy type of tea that’s rich in antioxidants and that can potentially improve your gut health. Beyond that, however, kombucha is a sweet, fizzy drink much like a typical soft drink but without all the added sugar or corn syrup. Some brands of kombucha do contain high amounts of sugar, however, so be sure to pick a sugar-free option when you’re perusing the store shelves.
Vegan Hot Chocolate
Almost everyone loves chocolate. Its sweet taste is like a siren call for cravings. Luckily, drinks such as vegan chai hot chocolate use cacao powder rather than cocoa powder. Cacao powder is the “raw” version of cocoa that’s roasted at lower temperatures and forgoes additives such as sugar. As a result, the cacao tastes a bit more bitter, much like dark chocolate, but it’s rich in antioxidants and so much better for you than typical hot chocolate.
Fruit and Veggie Smoothies
If you do crave something with a bit of sugar, then fruit and veggie smoothies are the way to go. Fruits are filled with natural sugars that provide smoothies with a delicious sweetness. Therefore, smoothies remain healthy treats for you to enjoy—no artificial sugar needed!
Black Coffee
For a drink that’s enjoyable and health conscious but much simpler to prepare, black coffee is a perfect morning pick-me-up. Black coffee on its own has exactly zero calories because all the sugar and unhealthy ingredients you usually find in coffee actually come in the form of sugar or creamer. If you really can’t stand the bitter taste of black coffee, however, low-fat creamers are perfectly acceptable to add to your coffee.
