#9 Diet soda
If you’re trying to lose weight obviously diet drinks are a good choice, however I’d recommend consuming in moderation (once each week), as artificial sweeteners are best avoided, if at all possible.
#10 Energy drinks
Many energy drinks are loaded with caffeine, sugar and herbal stimulants that make you alert, however they can also make your heart beat faster, which can put you at risk of health issues.
The worrying problem with energy drinks is that they’ve become popular mixers for alcoholic beverages; this combination of caffeine and alcohol can be very dangerous.
5 refreshing beverage alternatives:
- Ice cold water with sprigs of fresh mint
- Green tea with chunks of lemon
- 50/50 whole fruit juice and fizzy water
- Home made iced tea with crushed ice
- Hot water with fresh ginger and slices of lemon
Read more from Melanie:
5 Easy Ways to Make Picknicking a Heart-Healthy Summertime Treat
Chinese Red Yeast Rice: Good for the Heart
Tea Does Your Heart Good: Learn Which Kinds and How Much
Melanie Thomassian is a professional dietitian, and author of the award winning Dietriffic.com.
