The healthiest soft drinks of the summer

| Behind a simple soda, a large amount of sugars and calories can be hidden that we consume quickly and without being satisfied. Let's get to know the healthiest soft drinks for the summer.

The main objective of a soft drink It must be the contribution of water to the body to achieve a good state of hydration, since high temperatures favor sweating and thus dehydration. Therefore, the main component must be water. Additionally, a soda can provide sugars, vitamins, minerals, protein, and even small amounts of fiber. The reality is that there are many possibilities to rehydrate in summer, but which are the most appropriate?

The best soft drink proposals

If we do not want a drink to become an important source of calories, in addition to hydrating, we should consider the different alternatives:

• Refreshing calorie free drinks
  • Light or zero commercial drinks: cola, lemon, orange drinks, etc. These are options that currently exist in a sugar-free version and that do not provide calories.
  • Sparkling water or soda: the drink par excellence is water but it seems that socially we do not link it when we go out for a drink. A healthy alternative is to choose carbonated water, which, like water, will not add calories or sugar to your daily intake.
  • Teas, infusions or coffees without added sugar: the perfect option for the whole year, it also adapts to summer. Iced coffee, iced teas and cold infusions are well-suited options for this season and with a very low caloric intake. Some examples would be:
  • Green tea with a drizzle of lemon, mint leaves and ice.
  • Rooibos with strawberries and blueberries served chilled.

• Refreshing drinks with nutritional content
  • Fresh fruit slushies and fruit juices: they are the healthy alternative to refreshments commercial because their vitamin content is more interesting, but we must not forget that fruit juices concentrate their sugars and should not be abused.
  • and smoothies: the option that combines fruit and dairy to perfection, achieving appetizing, colorful and nutritious mixes. It is always preferable that they are made with fresh fruit, milk or skimmed yogurt and without added sugar or honey so as not to trigger the caloric content. Some options are:
  • Banana smoothie with skimmed milk and cinnamon to taste.
  • Watermelon smoothie with yogurt and red berries.

• Other drinks: reaching the most energetic and nutritious options we find the sweet almond drink, the horchata alone or with ice cream, the ice cream milkshake and the ice cream milkshake with fruits ... They are suitable refreshments as long as they are taken in a punctual way and taking into account that They are more suitable for people with high energy expenditure and whose consumption should be punctual.

• COMPARE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS

   

   

  • Behind a simple soft drink They can hide a large amount of sugars and calories that we consume quickly and without being satisfied.
  • There are calories that can refresh us without giving us even a gram of sugar.
  • Smoothies, slushies, smoothies, etc. They will have a significantly higher caloric content if they are made with whole dairy products and sugar and / or honey are also added.

  Mercè Gonzalo

  Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics Degree in Food Science and Technology