It’s important it is to stay hydrated, especially during the summer. But many drinks are packed with a shocking amount of sugar, so why not try our low-sugar drinks instead?
Did you know that more than 80% of all children and adults in the UK are consuming too much sugar – and soft drinks play a big role in that.
Here are some low-sugar drinks which are more-healthy alternatives to fizzy pop:
Water
Water is great because you can be confident that it has no hidden sugar, however you may find that it lacks flavour and excitement.
So why not add fruits and herbs. There are endless flavour combinations to try, and you can even use frozen fruit instead of ice cubes for a refreshing cold drink. Or try it with sparkling or soda water to give it some extra fizz.
This is great for the whole family and is a fun way to get the kids involved and drinking more water. We’ve created a menu of water infusions for you to try.
Iced tea and coffee
Iced versions of our favourite hot drinks are increasingly popular. Store-bought iced tea and chilled coffees can contain a lot of added sugar, so why not grab some ice and make your own lower-sugar versions?
To make a refreshing iced tea, simply brew your favourite tea in a small amount of hot water, top up with cold water and pour over ice.
You can even pop your tea bags in water and leave it in the fridge overnight so it’s ready for the next day.
Instead of adding sugar to iced teas, why not try naturally sweet fruit or herbal varieties, or add lemons to flavour your tea?
When making iced coffees, if using milk alternatives – opt for the unsweetened versions to cut back on the added sugars.
You can even add flavour to your coffees using different spices, my favourite is adding a little cinnamon and vanilla essence.
You can make a chai spice blend to add to your coffees using a mixture of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, nutmeg and cardamom – use them all or mix and match your favourites to create your personalised flavour.
Smoothies
Smoothies are a great way to get some extra fruit and vegetables in your diet, but can often contain a surprising amount of sugar.
Cut back on the sugar without compromising the extra vitamins by making your own at home.
Just add 1 cup of frozen fruit to a blender or food processor along with 1-2 cups of milk, depending on how runny or thick you like it.
You can make all of these low-sugar drinks in advance so they are ready to go when you need them. Give them a try and let us know your favourites.
You might also like to try this non-alcoholic mojito recipe.
