15 Low Sugar Drinks That You May Add In Your Diet
Drinks sneak in all the moments- big and small. From gossip tea and diet coke with gym bros to cheers to a victory, drinks are everywhere.
Even after all this daily use and ceremonial importance, there is where drinks are always overlooked. This aspect is health. When you count calories or prepare a meal plan, even if everything is right on paper it goes wrong practically.
Ever wondered why is it so?
There is a high possibility that the drinks you consume are nothing but sugar syrups with flavors. They have no connection to nutrition and might be ruining your fitness regime.
You may already be awakened one for landing up here, looking for some good low-sugar drinks. If yes, do not worry because this article has got you covered.
List Of Low Sugar Drinks
Green Tea
Green tea is a powerful punch of antioxidants. If you want to replace the popping carbonated sugar drinks with something healthy, you can always drink green tea.
It is rejuvenating, has no calories, and does not even require milk. It is best to not add sugar to your green tea. It boosts satiety so there is a strong possibility you won’t crave sugar after consuming green tea.
also, suggest it will be beneficial for diabetes patients as it regulates blood sugar levels.
Lemon Water Without Sugar
Lemon water is served as a refreshment drink in restaurants. It is also a part of the detox regime. A lemon wedge squeezed in a glass of water is a flavourful bliss.
Without added sugar, it contains negligible calories. It promotes hydration, flushes out toxins, and gives your skin a natural glow. You can also drink warm lemon water 20-30 minutes after having your meal to improve digestion.
If you cannot drink it without a tint of sweetness, add a better sugar alternative like honey in limited amounts.
Black Tea
Black tea is obtained from the same plant as green tea. It is just different in color as it is aged over time and undergoes oxidation.
When black tea is brewed without sugar, it also contributes minimal calories and numerous benefits. What makes black tea even more appealing is that it might reduce blood sugar levels.
So if you are suffering from diabetes or are at a risk due to insulin resistance, you can enjoy black tea in adequate amounts.
Hibiscus Tea
The rich red-colored hibiscus tea is a win-win drink for you. As appealing as it looks due to the red hue, it is an efficient booster for your body.
Hibiscus is naturally sweet so you require no added sugar. The flavor never runs out of richness so it keeps you entertained. Despite the sweet taste, 100 grams of hibiscus tea contains only 6 grams of sugar.
This tea falls under the low-calorie tea category. When it comes to metabolism, it is a perfect kickstart as it is surprisingly a better source of antioxidants than green tea.
Coffee
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. A variety of coffee is brewed. Be it cappuccino, espresso, mocha, or latte, all are equally loved and enjoyed.
Luckily, coffee does not contribute to sugar intake. It contains natural sugar which reduces when the coffee beans are roasted. So a cup of black coffee has negligible net calories.
If you skip adding sugar to your coffee, it is a great low-sugar drink. You can enhance the flavor of your coffee by adding a touch of nutmeg or cinnamon. If you cannot skip the milk, trade it for low-sugar varieties like almond milk.
Coffee is also usually safe for diabetics as they may benefit from caffeine. However, the effect may vary for each individual.
Sparkling Water
Missing sodas is no joke. Some people even develop an addiction to this carbonated drink. However, sodas contribute heavily to sugar intake.
Enjoying the same fizz and pop in a low-sugar drink is possible with sparkling water. It does not contain any sugar and still gives that bitter fizzy soda taste.
It can be beneficial if you consume it in limited amounts. Numerous flavors like cranberry, raspberry, pineapple, or a fusion of a few add more taste to sparkling water. You can opt for these if you are not a fan of the bitter taste of normal sparkling water.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is a natural feast with a touch of sweetness and a sense of refreshment. It is different from coconut milk as the milk contains more calories and is creamy in texture.
In contrast to it, coconut water contains fewer calories and less sugar content. It contains just 2.6 grams of sugar per 100 grams.
Always pick an unsweetened variety of coconut water or try drinking some straight out of fresh coconut. Besides adding beauty to your beach snapshots, it will keep you hydrated and sugary drinks at bay.
Kombucha
Kombucha is a sweet fermented tea made from oolong, green or black tea. It is gut friendly as it contains probiotics. The strong taste of this drink is not everyone’s cup of tea.
However, if you like kombucha, you can try several low-sugar varieties of kombucha available in the spectrum. Since the yeast present in kombucha feeds on sugar, it cannot be sugar-free.
Although, some brands use a healthier sugar alternative while others keep the sugar content very less. While buying some kombucha tea at a store, check the label to ensure you pick one with low sugar content.
Water Infused With Lemon And Cucumber
Infused water is flavourful and contains no sugar. You can prepare it easily by adding cucumber slices and lemon wedges to water. Keep it aside for about 4-5 hours. Your infusion is ready.
The best part is it contains vitamins, the freshness of cucumber, and the flavor of lemon without calories.
Fruit Infused Water
Just like lemon cucumber-infused water, you can try fruit infusions. You can choose the fruit of your choice and the choices are unlimited.
Grapefruit, watermelon, orange, basil, blackberries, and whatnot. You can even try a combination of fruits for the same. Fruit-infused water gives the same fruity taste as smoothies and is also beneficial for health.
The difference is it cuts short extra sugar and has a thick consistency. You can buy fruit-infused water bottles at stores if you do not want to make them at home.
Fruit Infused Tea
Fruit teas are easy-to-brew sugar-free teas. The difference between fruit-infused water and tea is that teas are made from dried-up fruits, flowers and herbs blended whereas the water is prepared by plunging the fruit slices in water for hours.
Fruit teas are not typical teas as they are fruity tisane. They are available in tea bags and can be made hot or cold within a few minutes. These teas do not require added sugar as they are rich in fruity flavor and sweetness.
Plain Milk Or Water Kefir
Kefir is a fermented drink easy to prepare and filled with a richness of probiotics. Milk kefir is relatively easy to digest for lactose intolerant people.
Most of the lactose gets converted into lactic acid. As far as sugar concentration is concerned, plain milk kefir contains 7 grams of sugar per cup. Water kefir is an even better alternative as it contains relatively low sugar.
Red Wine
Red wine falls under the alcoholic category of drinks. It is a pleasing drink if consumed in moderation. It is rich in antioxidants so you might reap some health benefits.
According to a study, red wine is great for controlling blood sugar levels. An observatory analysis suggests red wine consumption lowers blood sugar levels for up to 24 hours.
Although some varieties of red wine offer high amounts of sugar, the general amount of sugar in red wine is just 0.6 grams per 100 grams.
Vegetable Juice
Freshly blended vegetable juice is great to quench thirst. It has an upper hand over water as it is nourishing. It can cure several diseases and requires no added sugar.
Most vegetable juices have about 2 grams of sugar per 100 grams. You can also pair it with a weight loss regime or a diabetes-friendly diet.
Tomato Juice
Tomato is both a fruit and vegetable, so you can call it a fruit or vegetable juice. It is rich in antioxidants called lycopene. It is also a low-sugar alternative to other fruit juice with high sugar content.
Conclusion
Sugar can be bittersweet if not consumed wisely. Even though it tastes sweet, the health hazards that tag along make it a bitter aspect.
Eating too much sugar can make you prone to weight gain, acne, toothache, type 2 diabetes, and heart issues.
Even if you cautiously monitor sugar intake through foods, you might be consuming much more sugar through drinks. Sodas, sports drinks, and even fruit juice with sweeteners are bad for your health.
It is best to drink plain water to quench thirst. If you find that boring, try teas and coffee with no added sugar. Coconut water, vegetable juice, and fruit-infused water are also flavourful drinks that skip the sugar.
Cautiously choosing your drinks will make a big difference in your life.