Which drinks are in our top healthy alternatives to diet energy sodas?
For all too many of us, every day life can be exhausting.
There are the back-to-back meetings, the frantic dashing for the bus in the morning, the house work, the life admin, the meal prep, and then let’s not forget the kids. With all the hustle and bustle, it’s little wonder that many of us are left slumped at our desks come 3pm.
The problem is, when we hit that wall, our healthy lifestyle can go out of the window – temptation is even more appealing when we’re flagging! When we’re tired or low energy, it’s more likely that we’ll wander over to the vending machine or the cookie jar, drink cup after cup of coffee, or even hit the energy drinks.
Here’s how you can kick this habit into touch.
Worryingly, more and more of us are relying on fizzy energy drinks to get us through the day. Yet, they come with all sorts of health warnings, including fears about their soaring levels of sugar, and the high amounts of caffeine and nasty chemical additives.
If your vice is a diet cola, then these drinks aren’t great for our health, either 10 Reasons to ditch your diet fizzy drinks for good and we need to limit them or cut them out completely wherever we can. There’s a lot to be said for a humble old glass of room temperature water and lemon!
Yet, if we need that hit of energy come mid-afternoon, how else can we get it? If we are going to ditch the energy and fizzy drinks for good, what are the alternatives?
Pour yourself a matcha, grab an energy bite and read on for our advice on the best alternatives to energy drinks!
1) H30 Hydration
Many of us don’t realise that dehydration can be one of the biggest drains on our energy. Something as simple as sipping on a glass of water can transform how we feel throughout the day – particularly when you give that every day water a super boost!
These little sachets really can be a life changer when it comes to energy levels. In fact, introduce these to your daily routine, and we guarantee you’ll have a spring in your step – no caffeine needed.
Our H30 Hydration drinks give us all the minerals and ions key in hydration for skin and health. And, while this has all sorts of benefits for our faces, including glowing, fresh skin, it also helps to give us an energy boost too. In particular, these fruity and light tasting sachets contain magnesium, which helps to reduce tiredness and fatigue. Meanwhile, each ingredient works in perfect harmony, helping our bodies to stay hydrated from the inside, out.
2) Matcha Latte
If you’re a caffeine addict and have quite levels of stress, then chances are your daily habit can do you more harm than good. Caffeine can increase our levels of cortisol in the body which, combined with stress, can make those hormones go haywire. Ultimately, this can lead to weight gain, spotty skin, and depleted energy levels.
Of course, we’re not saying ditch the caffeine for good! But, perhaps try to shake things up a little. Try enjoying alternatives to your coffee, tea or energy drinks. In particular, matcha tea is full of anti-oxidants, and contains half the caffeine of an espresso. However, its effects are longer lasting than coffee, thanks to the amino acid L-Theanine, which has a soothing effect on the body and slows the release of caffeine. Try our Easy Matcha Latte recipe by clicking here.
3) Protein Smoothie
If your energy levels are plummeting, then it could signal a lack of quality protein in your diet. Protein helps to keep us fuller for longer, and can even be used for energy by the bodies if we’re lacking in fat or carbs for fuel.
One of our favourite mid-afternoon pick-me-ups are protein shakes made with our Protein Smoothie – add in a spoonful of nut butter for a super energy boost. You can even turn them into a rainbow by checking out our recipes here!
4) Flavoured Water
As we’ve mentioned, many energy slumps can actually be a sign that you’re dehydrated. If this is the case, it’s important to up your water intake and sip on filtered water throughout the day. If you’re really not a fan of water, then why not add slices of your favourite fruits (lemon and lime work perfectly, as do berries!), chunks of fresh coconut, or even some mint and cucumber? If that’s still not your thing, then why not sip on herbal teas instead? Come the summer, you can allow these to cool and blend with ice for a fruity ice tea!
5) Hot Chocolate
If you crave something sweet, then cosy up with a comforting mug of homemade hot chocolate. Cacao powder – cocoa’s unsweetened, unrefined cousin – is full of anti-oxidants, as well as quality caffeine. Simply heat up some oat or coconut milk, add in some cacao or even carob (carob is caffeine-free but still energises), a square of dark chocolate and vanilla and blend!
6) Pomegranate or Beet Juice
These superfoods are fantastic energy boosters – many athletes swear by beet juice for helping to power them through their workouts! Instead of being lured by the temptation of an energy drink, why not try creating your own pomegranate or beet juice at home?
