How to Flavor Water to Reduce Unhealthy Cravings
1.
Make Mint Ice Cubes—put some sprigs of
spearmint, lemon mini, or peppermint into an ice cube tray, then add water and
freeze. The taste of mint can curve your urges for snacking, cool the body down
on a hot day, or settle an upset stomach. Mints are perfect for people that do
not enjoy sweetened beverages but still prefer some flavor. You can also do
this with your favorite herbs, like lavender, rosemary or basil.
2.
Make Juice Ice Cubes—is a great way to trick your
children into dinking more water. Buy their favorite juice, fill an ice cube
tray with it and freeze it into cubes. They will get some of the flavor from
the juice but far less sugar and calories. Make different flavored ice cubes
and let them mix their own blend and give it a crazy name. And, yes it is just
as good for the adults in the home. Healthy can be fun!
3.
Add Fresh Fruit—fresh fruit in a glass of ice
cold water looks more appealing and sophisticated while adding a hint of
flavor. One of the biggest hits at a party we hosted was a bowl of mixed fresh
cut fruits and berries, and a bowl of fresh mint sprigs beside a large container
filled with ice cubes and water with a tap. Every time I turned around one of
the three had to be refiled. Some of the guest picked just berries, others
picked melon or citrus, a few used just mint so don’t be afraid to set out
fruit and water for your guest. In the meantime keep a bowl of fruit sliced in
your refrigerator to mix in your water throughout the day. For better flavoring
add some fruit to a pitcher of fresh water and let it refrigerate a few hours
or overnight. The fresh fruit and water curves your cravings for sweet or salty
foods.
4.
Add Fresh Vegetables—I know, some of you prefer
flavors that are less sweet, one of my favorites is cucumber. Adding a few thinly sliced vegetables like:
sweet peppers, carrots, beets, etc. and the subtle flavor gives your water a
spa-like refreshing taste. For better flavoring add some vegetables to a
pitcher of fresh water and let it refrigerate a few hours or overnight. The
fresh fruit and water curves your cravings for sodas and sports drinks.
5.
Add Frozen Berries—this method allows you to
skip filling ice cube trays and freeze fresh berries instead. The great thing
about using this method is that you can stock pile fresh berries while they are
in season so that you have them year around and when you need them you just
pull out a bag of berries from the freezer. You can freeze strawberries,
blackberries, blueberries, and acai berries and they will add flavor and color
to your water. You will reduce your cravings for sweets and save money by
freezing the berries.
6.
Add Fresh Herbs Ice Cubes—is refreshing and
tricks your taste buds into enjoying water. Mint, lavender, lemon grass, rosemary,
are good mixed in with fresh fruits, berries, and/or vegetables. Depending on
your needs adding herbs can be energizing or calming; also cleansing. They
reduce cravings for unhealthy beverages and foods. They are something you have
to experiment with to find the flavors you will enjoy.
Health Benefits from Drinking Infused Water
Would you like some juice with your cup of sugar?
Unfortunately we all grew up believing that drinking juices
that we get from our local supermarket is healthy, but we now know that these
juices are no healthier than a cup of corn syrup or a candy bar. Of course it
is healthy to eat fresh fruits! But every time you eat fresh fruit and drink
fresh fruit juices you’re consuming a spoonful of fructose or more. This
includes dehydrated, frozen and fresh fruits and berries as-well-as their
juices frozen or bottled; organic or non-organic doesn’t matter, they all have
a high fructose count. On the other hand bottled vegetable juices are no better
because they are high in sodium.
The good news is that you can decrease the amount of calories,
fructose and sodium by eliminating bottled juices and replacing them with
infused water. If these are not good enough reasons to drink infused water here are a
few more examples of its health benefits:
- Your skin will look fabulous by keeping your skin plump and elastic.
- Your face will have less wrinkles.
- Your health will improve.
- It naturally flushes the toxins out of your body.
- It helps reduce your cravings for sweet or salty foods.
- It adds a healthy array of vitamins and antioxidants to your daily diet.
- It will awaken your taste-buds to nature’s most amazing flavors.
- It reduces cravings for unhealthy beverages.
- It can be energizing or calming.
- It will help you lose weight.
- And more…
All of these are some of the best reasons in the
world why you should switch to drinking infused water…but the best reason of all is
the simple fact that water is your body’s source of life. All the bottled juices,
sodas, coffee, etc. cannot replace the body’s need for water to function
correctly.
Choosing an Infuser
 |
| Water Infuser |
There is a large selection of water infusers available—it really
depends on your fashion taste. Here are a few criteria’s to keep in mind when
you are choosing the right water infuser for you.
- Make sure the containers are BPA-free, not made of a plastic that releases chemicals. Glass or Tritan plastic are BPA-free.
- For the home you may want a large picture with a spout or flip-top no one has time for stopping and unscrew/screw a lid; everybody is always in a rush.
- For traveling you will want one that will fit in a cup-holder, has a flip-top lid, that you can use driving, walking, hiking, or biking.
- Look for Eco-friendly options.
Hopefully these tips will help you live a healthier and
happier life. It sounds like a lot of work but looks are deceiving in this
case. Switching over to drinking infused water is a simple change, but one with
life-long-lasting health benefits. And, before you know it you will be feeling
more refreshed and full of energy.
By: Teresa Fuller
fast-n-delicious@outlook.com
www.fast-n-delicious
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