Water is always the best choice!

When you exercise you need to drink more to replenish the fluids you lose through sweat. You may think you’re staying hydrated by consuming any type of beverage throughout the day, but the best beverage choice is always water.

• WATER = ESSENTIAL COMPONENT OF LIFE & HEALTH Your body is made up of almost 75% water and nearly EVERY SINGLE cell in your body needs water to function properly. Listen to your body to know how much water you need, but we recommend at least 64 ounces per day.
• Some great, calorie-free ways to add flavor to your water: Add fresh lemon, lime, orange, mint, cucumbers, fresh or frozen berries, etc., mineral water, herbal teas (hot or cold).

• JUICE & SMOOTHIES = HIGH IN CALORIES All juice, even 100% fruit juice, is high in sugar & calories. Plus, juice doesn't contain the fruit's fiber. Store-bought smoothies are usually not a better choice either since most of them contain more than 500 calories!
• If you are craving a smoothie, it is much better to make your own with nonfat yogurt & frozen fruit.

• DIET SODA = WEIGHT GAIN In an attempt to cut calories, many people turn to Diet Soda. They assume it is a good beverage choice because it fills you up with no calories. However, many studies have actually linked the metabolic effect of diet soda to weight gain!

• CAFFEINE = IN MODERATION Drinking one cup of coffee, black tea or green tea in the morning is fine. However, we advise against drinking multiple cups of caffeinated beverages throughout the day.
• Caffeine raises cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that can lead to fat storage.
• Caffeine causes an energy spike and then crash, which can make you crave sugar & other carbohydrates.
• Caffeine is a stimulant and can disrupt your sleep, causing you to feel more fatigued. This creates a vicious cycle as you reach for more & more caffeine to counteract the fatigue.
• If you are currently drink multiple cups of coffee throughout the day, cut down slowly. Have your morning cup as usual, but then try replacing the rest of your coffee with herbal tea or iced water.