Cheers to good health – 5 healthy drink options for 2017
Bula Vinaka and welcome to my first blog of the new year 2017 – Cheers to good health.
This is such a great time to set some new goals. A chance at a “fresh start” if you need one or the opportunity to continue with your healthy habits. I’m going to keep it very simple and look at some of healthy drink options for this year – and yes some of you may want to block your ears but … these options do not involve alcohol or fizzy drinks.
Drink #1 – Water
As you know, without water we cannot survive. The general requirement for all people is at least 8 cups of water per day. If you are an athlete try aiming for 3-4 litres per day. Looking at the colour of your urine is a good indicator of your hydration level (it should be pale yellow or clear).
Dehydration of just 2% of your body weight has shown to have negative effects on performance it can also affect your thinking ability. Make sure you are constantly sipping water throughout the day. Enjoy your water, cool it down in the fridge or add ice cubes on a hot summers day.
Drink #2 – Fresh Bu / Coconut Water
In the islands, we are so lucky to have access to fresh Bu every day and it can be free ☺ Something I am missing so much here in New Zealand. The imported supermarket coconuts just aren’t the same. Coconut water offers a great natural source of electrolytes which are important for the regulation of fluid balance and proper muscle function. Get climbing those coconut trees or down to your local market and stock up on some of the tropic’s finest beauty.
Drink #3 – Water with Fresh L
Getting bored of plain water?? Jazz it up a little! Add some freshly cut lemon slices. If there’s no lemon in the fridge I like to get creative! Fresh berries and apple are just as great and give me the natural sweetness my taste buds are after.
Drink #4- Herbal Tea
If you enjoy having a hot drink before bedtime, go for a herbal tea or a cup of hot water with squeezed lemon and honey.
Some of my favourites are…
Green Tea
Dandelion Tea
Berry Teas
Lemon & Ginger Tea
Peppermint Tea
Drink #5- Freshly Squeezed Juice
The thing I love about freshly squeezed juices is that I know exactly what is in them. I’m making it myself, with the fruits and vegetables I love the most – so there’s no need to worry about any added sugars and sweeteners.
My favourite homemade juice recipe that I make with my juicer is Carrot and Orange juice.
Ingredients:
3x carrots
2x oranges (peeled)
A few ice cubes
Put the carrots and oranges through the juicer, add ice cubes and enjoy!
Juicing is such a convenient way to help reach your daily fruit and vegetable intake. If you don’t have a juicer, you can always squeeze softer fruits like lemon and oranges by hand or use a manual juice squeezer.
Useful Tips:
You can use honey as an alternative to sugar. (1/2 a teaspoon is plenty!)
I wouldn’t recommend consuming coffee (caffeine) after 3pm in the afternoon as it will affect your deep recovery sleep.
If you want to drink juice from a bottle or sachet, try watering it down to reduce your sugar intake.
These 5 drinks are healthy options that I will be striving to have more of this year. They will help me have a stronger immune system and provide all of the goodness including antioxidants that my body needs to function well.
Thanks for taking your time to read my first blog of 2017! I would love to see some of your healthy drink creations. Remember to post them up on your Instagram or Facebook and make sure you tag @bulalicious!
Lots of love Britt xx
