The Lowdown on Popular Drinks
Almond milk or regular milk? Beer versus red wine. Coffee or green tea? Gatorade or Coconut Water?
When it comes to healthy eating, we all know that there are so many contradicting sources, that it’s hard to determine which is the most accurate.
We wanted to break things down for you and make your drink choices a little easier next time you’re at the grocery store, the gym or your friend’s party on a Saturday night.
- Almond Milk or Regular Milk?
Almond milk is an excellent choice for not only vegans but those who have dairy allergies, are lactose intolerant or simply choose to limit/restrict dairy consumption. This type of milk, along with other nut milks, is low in fat and lower in calories than traditional cows milk. Try almond milk as a substitute in your morning or post workout smoothies for a nice, nutty added touch!
Dairy milk is becoming more feared by some, than ever before, mainly because there are so many other alternatives to choose from. However, a nice glass of milk every once in a while can help you intake calcium, vitamin D, magnesium and other key vitamins and minerals your body needs to function. The main concern with milk these days is pasteurization, which helps cut contamination risk, but also strips the milk of many of its key nutrients, like calcium and vitamin C. Try to find a trustworthy farmer, who doesn’t pasteurize his milk, for the freshest, healthiest and purest for of milk.
- Beer or Red Wine?
People always think that all alcohol is dangerous when it comes to dieting and “eating better.” But that’s not true. It depends on the alcohol of choice with this one. Believe it or not, beer has some nutritional value, as does red wine. Both red wine and beer contain polyphenols which are known for their heart-protective properties. Beer also contains vitamins such as niacin, B12, B6, selenium and more. Red wine wins in the resveratrol category, which is thought to extend life and lower blood sugar. Bottom line when it comes to alcohol, is do it in moderation, and you won’t wake up feeling bad about yourself the next day, literally and physically!
- Coffee or Green Tea?
It seems like there is a new article out on the positives or negatives of coffee…every day. Coffee in moderation, just like many other things, is okay and can be healthy, too. Coffee is loaded with caffeine, which blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, leading to a stimulant effect. This effect in the brain improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function, which lead many people to a more productive day/work environment or workout. However, if you consume too much coffee, because of its acidity level, it could lead to stomach issues or heart issues.
Green tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants which help your body stay healthy, boosting the immune system. Green tea also contains a lot of antioxidants that help with brain function, fat loss, immunity and so much more. Green tea also has a middle-ground-amount of caffeine in comparison to coffee. Tea gives you a gradual energy perk, whereas coffee tends to cause a peak of energy a steady crash, then ready for round 2!
- Gatorade or Coconut Water?
When it comes to an intense workout, a long run or a heavy lifting session, it’s vital to keep yourself hydrated otherwise, you’ll lack peak performance. Gatorade has been known for years as the go-to-sports-drink. Now-a-days, Gatorade competes with pure, fresh coconut water. Something to be mindful of with Gatorade is that it some flavors are packed with sugar and artificial ingredients. Coconut water comes straight out of a coconut, is packed with electrolytes and potassium and is available in a variety of flavors. Give raw coconut water a try, but grab the unpasteurized version, in place of your next Gatorade drink.
Source: T-Nation.com
