1. Infused Water
Infused water is a perfect soda alternative if you choose the sparkling variety. These are a great place to start if you’re beginning your fizzy-drink-free journey. Infused water is hydrating, natural, and full of flavour.
For infused water, all you need is still or sparkling water—whatever your preference. Then, pick your medley of fruit and veg, and slice them. Add these to the water and infuse at room temperature for 1-2 hours, or in the fridge for 3-4 hours.
Some of our favourite combos are:
- Strawberry, lemon and fresh basil
- Fresh ginger, turmeric root, pineapple, and lemon
- Beetroot, raspberries, and lemon.
Our CBD drinks are perfect for the water base if you want to mix it up a bit and include an extra health boost. Our cans are made with sparkling water and come in many flavours: Elderflower & Mint, Peach & Ginger, and Lemon & Basil.
Haven’t heard of CBD before? It’s a non-psychoactive compound found in the hemp plant that can help you to unwind and find moments of calm. Our CBD-infused water is a healthy alternative to soda
2. Fresh Fruit & Veg Smoothie
This requires a bit more preparation, but making fresh smoothies at home is definitely one of our favourite soda alternatives. You can add any fruit and veg you like, so your smoothie is tailored to your tastes.
Not only do smoothies taste delicious, but they can also help you reach your 5-a-day quicker. It’s easy to whip one up in the kitchen when you’re craving something sugary. Instead of reaching for the nearest can of fizzy to please your taste buds, one of the biggest benefits of a smoothie is its natural sweetness.
Bananas, raspberries, and blueberries, for example, have natural sugars that are healthier for you than sugary pop. Smoothies are also healthier than juiced versions. Juicing retains the nutrients but removes the fibre. When you blend the ingredients instead, the fibre remains and you’ll feel fuller for longer.
As we mentioned, you can add anything you want to your smoothie. Though, it should combine your chosen fruit and veg with a liquid base of either milk, juice, or yoghurt. If you’re vegetarian or vegan (or just not a fan of cow’s milk), you can use your preferred non-dairy alternative.
3. Kombucha
Bottles of kombucha are healthy alternatives to fizzy drinks, thanks to its antioxidant and antibacterial properties. As most standard sodas contain synthetic ingredients, alongside many teaspoons of sugar, kombucha is a natural beverage. If it’s the fizziness of soda you enjoy, you’re going to love kombucha as a nutritious swap for fizzy. Through the process of fermentation (the same process as beer and wine), kombucha has a complex mix of flavours that we love!
It’s made of tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. We know that combination doesn’t sound appetising, but many brands have a range of flavoured kombucha. Some popular flavours include lemon and ginger, strawberry, and mint lime. You can find these in most supermarkets and health stores nowadays.
4. Natural Green Tea
Instead of reaching for a fizzy drink to get your caffeine or sugar fix, we’ve got another suggestion for your soda alternatives. Green tea is one of the healthiest natural drinks. It has more flavour than water, will keep you hydrated throughout the day, and has many health benefits.
Green tea is known for its abundance of antioxidants, of which studies suggest the role of tea in “mediating the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system, reduction of body mass, and even decreasing the risk of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.” It does contain caffeine (not as much as coffee) that helps to keep you alert and can even improve your brain health.
You can swap a cold can of fizzy for a comforting mug of green tea. Made the same way as English Breakfast tea, using either tea bags or tea leaves, it’s great for the body and mind.
Summary
Even if you don’t cut out fizzy drinks completely, swapping a can of soda for one of these ideas is a start. There are so many healthy alternatives to soft drinks available, so you have lots to choose from. On your next trip to the shops, have a browse of the variety of beverages on offer, you’ll be surprised!
