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Sip Smarter: Our Guide to Healthy Drinks
Soda Can-Dos
The average American downs almost 48 gallons of soft drinks a year, according to Beverage Digest, a publication that tracks industry trends. This makes soda the largest single source of calories in our diet, says the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and such sugary beverages increase our risk for diabetes and heart disease. Slowly, though, we're starting to cut back. Thirty-four percent of soda sippers in a survey by Mintel, a market research firm, say they're drinking more water and less of the carbonated stuff to stay healthy and prevent weight gain. More than half the respondents worry about the artificial sweeteners in diet soda. Although studies are inconclusive, some experts believe that diet beverages also cause people to pack on pounds, in part because the sugary taste triggers cravings for the real thing. Those findings may help explain why we now guzzle one-third less regular soda and 10 percent less diet than we used to, according to Mintel.
Sip Tip: Need your daily soda fix? Limit yourself to one or two cans a day and drink more good-for-you beverages, like low-fat milk and plain water.
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We keep soda for special occasions in my house, for the kids and the adults! It's really all about moderation, and since we live in Florida, iced tea and cold water with some fresh lemon or lime slices are just so refreshing and tempting to all
7/1/2011 08:07:46 AM Report Abusefood pyramid? are you serious? that is dictated wholly by the meat and dairy industries! its a joke. for the most comprehensive way to eat go to www.mercola.com
6/30/2011 04:06:11 PM Report AbuseHow about taking seltzer water and fruit juice and mixing it together? You have the carbonation like in pop and the sweetness. Plus it's healthier than soda and has the right sugars.
7/11/2010 11:21:25 AM Report AbuseWhat about regular Snapple ? Is that just as bad or worse?
6/30/2010 09:15:56 AM Report AbuseNo, I'm pretty sure milk (yes, cow milk) is necessary for people, too. We need dairy, thehealingartist1. Ever seen a food pyramid? Where are we supposed to get calcium from, do you think?
6/25/2010 07:33:47 AM Report AbuseWow there are some crazies on here!! First I'm pretty sure it didn't say that you don't have to drink any water, it just said that you don't necessarily need to drink 8 glasses daily, because of the water in foods. Second, i probably drink about 4-5 cans of soda a week and I'm healthy and haven't gained any weight. I agree however, that if you want to lose weight, soda is a good thing to cut out, those calories are unncesssary.
6/24/2010 08:02:12 AM Report Abusei agree with smreynolds5 - the optimum goal is zero sodas - that is what everyone should aim for 100% of the time...and also, limam11 - you are right on...come on people - water is where its at...only baby cows should be drinking milk, not people
6/24/2010 06:35:25 AM Report Abuse...*cannot imagine you could get away with drinking it...
6/23/2010 11:00:46 AM Report AbuseSoda is absolutely horrible for your body in every way, and I can only imagine you could get away with drinking it AND losing weight if you kept it to a bare minimum. That doesn't mean two sodas a day. That means if you HAVE to have soda every day (which you don't), you should have half a can/bottle. Anymore than that is excessive.
6/23/2010 11:00:10 AM Report AbuseI think they are referring to the people that are addicted to soda to the point of having it several (i.e. with each mean and in between) times a day. Thus, it is better to limit the intake to two sodas a day if this is your diet vice.
6/23/2010 10:09:19 AM Report Abusehow can they also say that people get enough water from foods?! NO ONE I know gets enough water!!!! this info is ridiculous, so far!
6/23/2010 10:02:00 AM Report Abusehow can they also say that people get enough water from foods?! NO ONE I know gets enough water!!!! I used to drink TONS of soda and now avoid it like the plague... this info is ridiculous, so far!
6/23/2010 10:02:00 AM Report AbuseI think that is what the studies are saying about people that are already addicted to soda. You know, the chaps that would drink soda with every meal as well as in between. >_>
6/23/2010 10:02:00 AM Report AbuseI agree with Lori1203. I can't see how 1-2 sodas a day can ever be "okay" in trying to lose weight. My mother is addicted to Coca-cola but even she recognizes that when she is trying to really lose weight she has to stay away from it. As far as a constant lifestyle change, maybe 1 or 2 sodas a week is realistic but a day, no way!
6/23/2010 09:55:24 AM Report AbuseHow can you possibly tell people it is OK to drink 1 or 2 cans of soda a DAY!!!! You are doing an injustice to all of your readers. The facts are clear that soda is NOTHING but chemicals and we know chemicals and the body do not mix. Articles like this on the internet are why I struggle to change what is in my clients heads!!!!! They read this and believe that they are educating themselves, it is not their fault. Please try and give FACTUAL info in the future.
6/17/2010 03:46:54 PM Report Abuse