Healthy Beverage Alternatives: Five Drinks to Sip Instead of Snacking

November 20, 2011

by Cathe Friedrich

When you’re working at your desk, it’s nice to have something to sip on that’s low in calories or calorie-free. Many people drink coffee, which isn’t a bad choice if you don’t add too much cream and sugar. But too much caffeine causes some people to feel anxious and irritable. Need some beverage alternatives? Here are some drinks to sip during the day that will keep you satisfied and curb the urge to snack on the office doughnuts.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant that black tea and green tea originate from. Black tea is more fermented than green tea, and oolong tea falls somewhere in-between. The leaves of oolong tea are only lightly fermented; therefore it retains more of its healthful antioxidants than black tea does. It’s also known as a metabolism-boosting tea in much the same way green tea is. It usually has more caffeine than green tea but less than black.

If you prefer a full-bodied tea, you’ll probably prefer oolong tea over green tea. It’s more robust flavor makes it a good appetite suppressant. Some tea stores offer flavored blends of oolong tea such as coconut oolong, plum oolong, and milk oolong. They’ll add a little variety to your mid-morning sip.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is a good mid-morning eye opener when you’re struggling to stay awake at your desk. The minty flavor will give you a pick-me-up without the jitteriness caffeinated coffee can cause. Peppermint tea has the added benefit of boosting digestion, especially for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. It’s a good choice to sip after you’ve eaten breakfast or lunch. The peppermint taste is a good substitute for a high-calorie dessert.

Freshly Made Fruit or Vegetable Juice

Juicing provides important nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals for your body to help repair and strengthen the immune system. Freshly made fruit and vegetable drinks are very filling and are a great alternative to snacks. Juicing is low in calories and a good source of lycopenes and other antioxidants. Juicing also makes foods easier to digest and thus, easier for the body to receive the maximum benefit from the food.
Most people don’t get enough veggies in their diet, and sipping a glass of freshly made juice in place of coffee gives you a head start on your “five-a-day.”

White Tea

White tea also comes from the Camellia Sinensis, but it’s even less fermented than green tea and retains more of its natural antioxidants than any other tea. It also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial benefits, which makes it a good drink to sip during the cold and flu season. It’s also lower in caffeine than black or green tea. You can buy white tea in tea bags and in the loose-leaf form at supermarkets and tea stores. Sip it to good health.

Capsaicin Tea

You can find teas at your local health food store that contain capsaicin, the ingredient that gives chili peppers their fire. It’s guaranteed to wake you up. Capsaicin also has a thermogenic effect that’ll give your metabolism a temporary boost while suppressing your appetite. It’s a good choice if you’re trying to lose a few pounds and keep your appetite under control.

The Bottom Line?

Take a break from coffee, and give these other healthy sips a try. They’re low in calories and strong on flavor. Just don’t add a lot of sugar.

References:

On Fitness Magazine. Volume 11, No. 4. November/December 2011.
J Nutr. 2001 Nov;131(11):2848-52.