Ways to swap out Soft Drinks, for healthier options

If your aim is to embark on a journey towards better health and maintain a positive trajectory, rest assured that you're not alone. Recent research indicates that nearly half of the Australian population has made significant lifestyle changes within the past two years. A growing number of individuals are actively opting for healthier alternatives, consciously steering clear of convenient yet addictive consumer products such as processed meats, fast food, and, above all, sugary carbonated beverages.

The Decline in Soft Drink Consumption 

With the growing awareness and interest in fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, the steep fall in soft drink consumption numbers across the world is no surprise at all. In Australia itself, the carbonated beverages market has been experiencing a speedy decline since 2013.

Adding to the positive news, there has also been an increase in the per capita water intake. More and more people are making the switch to healthier alternatives and you should be too.

But What is the Problem with Soft Drinks? 

Apart from the bubbly fizz and the exorbitant amounts of sugar that give soft drinks its addictive qualities, there is a wide range of health risks that you should be aware of:

Liquid Candy. A regular can of cola contains about 9 ½ teaspoons of added sugars while the 600ml bottle adds up to as many as 16 teaspoons of sugar. The daily sugar intake recommended by the Dietary Guideline is only 6-9 teaspoons. Taking a soft drink with your lunch? You can forget about dessert for the rest of the day.

Obesity, Diabetes, and Heart Attacks. Regular consumption of sugary, carbonated drinks increases your chances of becoming obese by 27% and developing type 2 diabetes by 26%. A person who drinks soft drinks daily is 20% more at risk of having a heart attack than one who doesn’t. Do we need to say more?

Tooth Decay. If you are trying to avoid the dentist, we would definitely recommend you ditch the soda right this minute. The sugar in soft drinks combines with the bacteria in your mouth and attacks your teeth, breaking down the protective layer of enamel.

Weight Gain. Sugary drinks are more often than not linked with weight gain. The added sugars in soft drinks are turned by the liver into fat and can drastically affect your weight.

No Nutrients and No Hydration Value. There are absolutely no nutrients in a bottle of soft drink that are even remotely useful to your body and delivers no hydration value whatsoever. It does not quench your thirst, and may, in fact, be making you even hungrier and thirstier.

Alternatives to Soft Drinks

Here are some alternatives you can include in your daily diet instead of sodas:

Sparkling Water

The closest alternative for soft drink is sparkling water. And the most exciting part is that now you can make carbonated water right in your home or office with SodaStream. The machine turns flat water into a bubbly surprise for your taste buds, which is healthier, has a higher hydration value and is a lot more refreshing than any soft drink

 Flavoured Sparkling Water

Old habits die hard and you’re probably still be craving your favorite sweet soft drinks. With SodaStream, you can satisfy your cravings and indulge without feeling guilty afterward. With over 25 flavors ranging from fruity combinations to all of your favourite classic fountain soft drinks, you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite drinks and cocktails.  All containing a fraction of sugars that are present in store-bought soft drinks

Sparkling Water Infusions

What’s the healthiest way to add a little flavor to your sparkling water? Use fresh fruits, herbs, and even veggies to sweeten and add a few vitamins to your drink. The possibilities here are endless, and while there are a few classic combinations that everyone loves, you can definitely experiment and create as much as you like.

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

A summer favourite, freshly squeezed lemonade when made with a dash of cane sugar and agave nectar can be a delicious alternative to soda. The citrusy and refreshing flavour may be all you need to wipe away memories of fizzy sodas from your taste buds.

Kombucha

A recent introduction to market,  Kombucha is a fermented health drink equally as energizing. Its flavour may not be something everyone will enjoy, but it contains little to no sugar and has probiotics that can help improve gut health.

What Are You Waiting For? 

Now that you are convinced of the sweet vices of soft drinks, it’s time to take action and clean up your diet. Make a conscious effort to switch up the cola in your diet for a healthier alternative, or even just water. And if you get sick of water, purchase a SodaStream – that turns flat water into sparkling - for your home or office, and enjoy the fresh, bubbly fix.

So, what are you waiting for? Head over to our website and start exploring.