We all know we’re supposed to drink a crap load (my favorite number) of water each day, but sometimes that gets real boring.
Sure, you could add a fresh lemon squeeze here or a cucumber slice there. You could even get fancy and add 2-3 fruits at once if you dare.
But if we’re being honest, even this can feel tasteless at times.
Sometimes we just need a little more flavor in our lives.
The problem is, most drinks on the market are LOADED with sugars (both fake ones and real), artificial colors/flavors/preservatives, excess calories, and anything else you can think of.
It’s really pathetic to be honest.
Lucky for us, times are changing and healthy options are out there. You just have to know which ones to look for. And that’s where today’s list and my help come in.
I’ll show you my top four low-calorie healthy drinks that naturally help you cut calories, sugar cravings, and energy slumps.
Suja Wild Probiotic
On the outside, this juice looks like the picture perfect pink lemonade.
It’s bright pink, cold, and always looks refreshing.
But it’s what’s on the inside that really caught my attention:
- First, it has 20 calories for the entire bottle
- Next, I found out it has 0g of sugar
- On top of that, it has healthy probiotics in it
What more could you ask for?
Apparently one more thing. The real kicker if you will.
This juice is made from water, lemon, cayenne, and maqui berries. Yes, cayenne pepper and pink lemonade.
I know it sounds a bit weird but it tastes amazing. Trust me on this one. I’m obsessed.
The cayenne helps to boost your metabolism while the probiotics work to balance out your gut health.
It’s THE BEST combination and, since I’ve tried it, I can’t stop thinking about it.
Plus, the ingredients are Non-GMO verified and the sweetener is stevia so craving this healthy flavor booster is not such a bad thing.
I try to keep my eye on the BOGO sales for Suja and always stock up on two of these when the deals are right.
You may also find that you like this drink watered down which is even better. You’ll have tasty Suja “lemonade” for even longer!
Kevita or Synergy Kombucha
Kombucha is definitely a drink that takes time to get used to. It’s not as tasty (at first) as the other drinks on my list.
Put simply, it takes and smells like vinegar.
Yes, like apple cider vinegar.
When I first tasted it, there was nothing pleasant about it.
It was weird and super vinegary and it had floating pieces of something in it.
Turns out, those floaty strand things were healthy bacteria.
And just like with my Suja obsession, these bad boys help to balance out your gut health.
Truth be told, most of us don’t give our guts enough attention (I was certainly guilty of this). And if we do, it’s only because our guts are sending us signals of indigestion or a general bad feeling on things.
The thing is, our guts have been called our second brain.
Those gut instincts that you’re feeling are literally stemming from this important yet overlooked area.
Some studies have even shown that your gut health is connected to your mental health. So by improving one, you also improve the other naturally.
That’s where Kombucha comes in (and probiotics).
By drinking these beverages, you’re actually improving your health and quenching your thirst at the same time. Total #DoubleWin in my book.
If you’re not convinced yet, Dr. Axe gives 6 more powerful reasons to drink it everyday:
- Kombucha strengthens your immune system
- It boosts your energy levels
- Promotes weight loss
- Eases joint pain
- Helps detoxify
- Helps fight Cancer
Now, if you’re new to the Kombucha game, I would start with Kevita’s line of delicious flavors.
This brand leans more towards a sweeter buch that’s not so vinegary right off the bat.
My top flavor picks (random order) include:
- Tart cherry
- Raspberry Lemon
- Ginger
- Pineapple peach
Don’t those flavors already sound mouth watering?
At my local supermarket (shoutout to Publix!), this brand is almost always the cheaper of the two and the one that goes on sale more often.
Similar to the first drink on my list, the Kevita line of Kombucha is low in calories (about 35 per bottle) and sugar (around 8g per bottle). These fizzy drinks also give you a better energy boost than a cup of coffee, not to mention minus all the jitters. Again, it’s a no brainer here.
As for Synergy, you’ll find a much bigger and more exotic line of flavors to choose from. You’ll see flavors like Mystic Mango, Cosmic Cranberry, Guava Goddess, and Passionberry Bliss just to name a few.
You’ll also see a slightly higher price tag (sometimes as much as $1 more than Kevita) with this brand, but, it’s certainly worth it. They’ve been brewing Kombucha since 1995 so they are definitely a trusted brand. It’s also more readily available so it may be the only brand you find on your local store shelves.
I prefer to drink my Kombucha in between meals and have also used it after a meal if I’ve stuffed myself (hello holidays) or if I start to feel some form of indigestion heading my way. It’s a perfect natural remedy for this.
I’ve even gone as far as brewing it at home that’s how much I’m obsessed with it. I don’t recommend this route right away but it’s definitely worth it later down the line when you start to crave more of it.
Kevita Sparkling Probiotics
Kevita also makes a line of sparkling probiotic drinks that are just as delish as the Kombucha.
These are perfect for anyone that can’t handle the vinegar taste of Kombucha but still want the health benefits of the naturally occurring probiotics.
The first one I tried was a lemon ginger and it was nothing short of amazing. Again, it was like having a healthy yet still flavorful lemonade.
Plus, the ginger in this one is great for anyone with stomach issues or asthma since it’s a natural remedy for both. This is what drew me to this flavor in the first place.
You can also find this lemonade with cayenne in place of the ginger. I love the sweet and spicy kick balance so, for me, choosing between the two of these is always a tough decision.
The Strawberry Acai Coconut is another favorite of mine that you’ll want to try for yourself.
Kevita Sparkling Probiotics also has a wide range of tasty flavors online to choose from so I wouldn’t stop here with my recommendations. I’m waiting for Publix to add a few more flavors so I can dabble in some others.
Simple Green Smoothies
Of all the drinks on this list, these are certainly the most time consuming.
While the first three drinks are grab and go’s, these smoothies require some prep work, but, I promise they’re so worth it.
When I first started making green smoothies, I relied on the internet.
The information was easy to understand and free so I went with this route without hesitation.
For the most part, I thought I was doing just fine with this plan. That is, until I found Simple Green Smoothies.
I had heard about the SGS book a few times before giving it a try. I ended up stumbling upon it at Sam’s Club with a pretty decent discount which made this even more enticing.
As I flipped through the pages and scanned all the eye catching pics, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy ASAP.
It turns out, my only regret is that I didn’t pick this up sooner.
So, to save you time, if you’re looking to get into the smoothie game, or if you’re advanced level and just need some inspo, this is the book to have.
It has time saving tips, an endless amount of tasty recipes, and some pretty useful produce hacks that I use daily.
I’ve also recently completed their 10 day kickstart plan and felt so much better. I really didn’t want it to end.
Now I just use their recipe list and enjoy one at least every other day.
I’ve even shared their foundation recipe in this article so if you’re interested in a sneak peek, check out the link for more info. I highly encourage you to buy this book and see it for yourself.
If you’re having trouble finding the drinks I’ve listed today at your local supermarket, try ordering them online.
Once you start introducing your body to healthy drink options like these, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Since I’ve made the switch, I’ve slashed my sugar cravings, saved a ton of calories along the way, and have upped my energy levels like you wouldn’t believe. I no longer need coffee to get me through my day.
Nowadays, I only have my cup of joe when I’m actually craving the flavor. When I need an energy boost, it’s the last thing I turn to. And I was a 2-3 cups per day kind of gal.