Tag Archives: beverages

Triple Berry Sparklers are the Perfect Cool Down This 4th of July

This 4th of July is going to be a hot one with temperatures already in the 100s and rising, at least here in Kansas! So we thought it would be more than appropriate to share a fizzy, tasty and healthy chilled drink to cool you down for your Independence Day celebrations.

It all starts with ice cubes. We found these fun little patriotic molds at a local craft store for a dollar or two. But of course, if you can’t find anything like this, regular ice molds will yield a similar result.

The ice cubes are incredibly healthy as they’re simply pureed berries. We chose a mix of raspberries, blackberries and strawberries. But choose whatever combination you prefer, and add a little sugar for a touch of sweetness if desired. (more…)

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Dana

7-Eleven is Sucking the Calories Out of Slurpees

7-Eleven just announced its newest product called Slurpee Lite, a sugar-free version of their wildly popular frozen slushy drinks.

The sugar-free version of the convenience store’s Slurpees will come in several flavors, including mango, strawberry banana, and cherry limeade, with more flavors to be introduced later. The drinks will be flavored with sugar-free Fanta soda and will contain 50 percent fewer calories than the original.

An eight-ounce serving of a Slurpee Lite contains a mere 20 calories. Currently, a 12-ounce Coca-Cola Slurpee has 97 calories and the Fanta flavors in the same size have 99 calories.

This shift for the frozen treat comes as a response to soda, juices, and other various high-sugar, high-calorie drinks being named as the biggest culprit in the obesity crisis. Just last week the Institutes of Medicine recommended the total ban of sugary drinks in schools. Soon it is believed that a government enforced calorie reduction on drinks and snacks will take place. 7-Eleven may just be trying to get ahead of the game. (more…)

Posted on May 16, 2023 by Lacy

Sip on a Blackberry Lemonade to Sweeten Your Spring Evenings

This past weekend we hosted dinner with friends. It was a gorgeous spring evening, we had all of the windows open, and we’d planned a very light and fresh meal of avocado pasta with a green salad. Our guests don’t drink, but I knew I wanted something fun, flavorful, and complementary to the weather as much as the meal.

While at the grocery store, I noticed that lemons were on sale and a fresh batch of blackberries had just come in. Inspiration! I couldn’t wait to get home to find a recipe for blackberry lemonade.

I Googled around until I found something simple that matched the ingredients I had on hand. I fell for this recipe at Love and Olive Oil. I liked that it called for raw or cane sugar; while I didn’t have any in the house, I’d have definitely preferred to use that. After that, it was just water, blackberries, lemon, and ice. (more…)

Posted on March 26, 2024 by Natalie K

Sip on a Frozen Hot Chocolate for Valentine’s Day

A visit to New York City is rarely complete without a trip to Serendipity. If you’re in New York City on Valentine’s Day, it’s practically a must-stop for romaticals. Stocked with house-made sweets, and especially know for their chocolate creations, Serendipity is the answer to your sweet tooth’s prayers and the antithesis of any weight loss plan.

Since most of you won’t be in the Big Apple this February 14, and many of you are likely trying to watch your calories, sip on our Frozen Hot Chocolate instead. Inspired by the original at Serendipity, which delivers 340 sugar-sweetened calories, our recipe has only 140 calories and is just as worthy as a second straw.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

  • 1 cup low-fat chocolate milk
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. sugar
  • 1 cup ice cubes
  • ½ cup canned fat-free dairy whipped topping (like Reddi-wip)
  • Garnish: marshmallows, cocoa powder (more…)
Posted on February 11, 2024 by Natalie K

Choosing the Best Teas for Your Diet

If your goal this new year is to give up soda or sugary drinks, you may be interested in switching to tea. From green tea to black, tea is a great beverage option to consider when plain old water just won’t cut it.

Tea has been around for thousands of years and has been associated with various health benefits for just as long. Depending on what tea you choose, some scientists believe that drinking this type of beverage can result in weight loss, stroke prevention, improved memory, reduction in cancer risk, improved cardiovascular health, better blood glucose control, osteoporosis prevention, less tooth decay, improved immune function, and decreased risk of certain neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Not all teas are created equally though and it’s important to know which teas are the most beneficial. Additionally, some of the health claims associated with tea still remain to be proven. As continued research develops, hopefully the exact benefits of all tea can be clearly identified. In the meantime, lets go with what we’ve got. Even if some of the health claims fall short as research progresses, most teas are low in calories, are hydrating, and are rich in antioxidants. This makes them a wonderful replacement for higher calorie beverages consumed throughout the day.

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Posted on January 5, 2024 by Kati

5 Low-Calorie Drinks for Labor Day

By Jenn Walters for FitBottomedGirls.com

Summer may be winding down with Labor Day weekend, but there’s still time to squeeze in some summer fun, whether it’s throwing a barbecue or swimming in the pool. If, along with your final summer hurrah, you’re looking for something to drink that won’t derail your diet, read on for the five low-calorie beverages we’re sipping on—in moderation and with a designated driver, of course!

5 Low-Calorie Alcoholic Summer Drinks

1. Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus. While lime in a beer seems a tad weird in, like, January, in June it’s pretty much perfect for summertime drinkin’—light with a little refreshing citrus. Plus, a 12-ounce serving contains just 95 calories.

2. Bella Bella Bellini. This bellini recipe is a peach—in a good way! Only 94 calories and with enough fruity flavor to make you feel like you’re vacationing in the tropics even if you’re just in your backyard, it’s easy to make, too!

3. Skinnygirl Margarita. After getting hooked on Bethenny Frankel’s reality TV shows, we just had to try her Skinnygirl Margarita. You won’t be fooled into thinking this is the margarita from your favorite Mexican restaurant, but it is just sweet enough to please, and it definitely satisfied our margarita tooth (like a sweet tooth for margaritas, obviously). At 100 cals for a 4-ounce serving, it’s perfect treat for a summer day. Don’t want to spend the dough on the pre-made stuff? Make this skinny margarita recipe yourself!

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Posted on August 31, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Americans are Snacking Their Way to Weight Gain

For many people, snacking can be part of a healthy diet that can lead to effective weight loss. However, according to research presented at the 2024 Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual Meeting & Food Expo, snacking, as well as beverage consumption outside of a regular meal, continues to increase among Americans, accounting for more than 25 percent of calorie intake each day.

Between 1977 and 2006, snacking in the American diet has grown to constitute “a full eating event,” or a fourth meal consisting of about 580 calories daily, according to Dr. Richard D. Mattes, Ph.D., professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University.

While overall, snacking has increased, “there has been a significant increase in the amount of calories consumed through beverages,” said Mattes.  Beverages are estimated to account for 50 percent of all calories consumed through snacking.

According to Mattes, many Americans don’t equate beverage intake with calorie intake so they are less likely to count these calories or make up for the excess by cutting back elsewhere in their diets.

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Posted on June 29, 2023 by Maris

We Love Neuro Drinks

Water is boring. Why drink flavorless H20 when your tongue can be excited by bubbles or, well, flavor?

Unfortunately, with that flavor everyone craves usually comes a lot of excess calories and sugars, and despite the fact they come in liquid form, flavored beverages like tea and soda (even diet soda, which people seem to think because it is calorie free, it is an acceptable substitute for water) can dehydrate you rather than re-hydrate you.

Neuro has heard the plight of the under-hydrated adult craving flavor without junk, and offer a large array of tasty, hydrating waters that focus on every area of your health.

Not sleeping well? You’re covered. Libido needing a boost? Neuro’s got the stuff. Looking to drop a few pounds? You got it.

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Posted on May 29, 2023 by Kelly

We Love Gatorade Naturals

Gatorade is a well known beverage, served at sports events everywhere, from preschool sports games to professional events. It’s arguably the most served beverage at sporting events, but many parents are not fans of it. The traditional G Series is often thought to be high in sugar, and in answer to this, Gatorade created a lower sugar version, called G2. This beverage wasn’t a perfect fit for many families, however, in that it’s sweetened with sucralose. Many families desire natural foods and beverages and Gatorade has created a new line of performance beverages to please the most discerning of athletes.

Called G Series Natural, the beverage is part of the Perform level, designed to be enjoyed while exercising. G Series Natural replenishes lost fluids and electrolytes exactly the same as traditional Gatorade. Containing only sea salt, natural flavors and natural sweeteners, this beverage meets the needs of athletes who don’t want artificial colors or sweeteners. G Series Natural is sweetened with sucrose and dextrose and has 50 calories per serving. For a lower calorie, yet still natural choice, G2 Natural is sweetened with Stevia, and has 20 calories per serving. Each bottle contains 2 servings. (Always read the label!)

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Posted on May 18, 2023 by Carmen

Lighter Tequila Cocktails for Your Cinco De Mayo Celebration

It’s no secret that cocktails can pack a ridiculously high amount of calories, especially on a day like Cinco de Mayo when you might be celebrating, and drinking more than one of your favorite margarita.

If you want to enjoy a cocktail or two or three (responsibly, of course – don’t forget a designated driver!) skip the sour mix, pass on bottled mixes that have sugar and potentially dangerous artificial dyes and put your bottle of tequila to good use with some of these lighter recipes. Use higher quality spirits, such as Partida Tequila or Camarena Tequila, so you won’t want to mask it’s flavor with sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.

With no garnish, salt or secondary liquor required, the alcohol and sugar content are lower than traditional margaritas by as much as 200 calories. Agave nectar, a natural fructose sweetener extracted from the blue agave plant, has a lower glycemic index rating than sugar, honey or maple syrup and readily dissolves in cold beverages so it blends effortlessly in cocktails.

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Posted on May 2, 2023 by Maris

Healthier Royal Wedding Watch Party Recipes

No royal wedding watch party is complete without Yorkshire pudding!

With the royal wedding just a few days away, it seems that most cooks have UK fever – and the desire to cook like British royalty. While British cuisine is typically simple and unfussy, home cooks and professional chefs are pulling out all the stops in light of Prince William and Kate Middleton‘s upcoming nuptials.

If you are hosting a watch party for your friends and family to celebrate the royal wedding, opt for healthier versions of favorite English-inspired meals and snacks that will keep the atmosphere authentically British without leaving your home.

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Posted on April 27, 2023 by Maris