It happens to the best of us. You are walking down the street, think about your new healthy lifestyle, feeling proud of all your recent diet and exercise choices that are pushing you to a more positive and productive place. Big smile on your face and SPLAT…. you get slapped in the mouth with a massive craving for a Coke… or a Dr Pepper… any kind of soda. Those are the drinks that we all grew with and they are not only SUPER tasty and refreshing… these drinks bring back so many good memories.
But we also all know that conventional sodas are not a healthy choice. Most conventional sodas are high in sugar, artificial flavors and preservatives. There is zero nutritional benefit in drinking a Coke. So it’s not something anybody should drinking regularly anyway.
But cravings still come around, the need to feel that nice feeling is a valid need. Of course it is. Now there are healthy “soda-like” alternatives out there that taste like the real deal and I’ll be damned if they don’t give a little something back. Meaning that you can actually have that Dr Pepper experience and still consider it a healthy choice. You can cool off with a can of pop and all those positive feelings don’t have to stop.
There are 2 soda alternatives that I enjoy that I wanted to share with you. This is what I drink when I’m DYING for a Coke, Pepsi, Doctor Pepper… whatever….
LIVE SODA/LIVE KOMBUCHA- https://livesoda.com
Live Beverages has a complete line of really tasty, very satisfying drinks (Kombucha, Probiotic soda, Apple Cider Vinegar Tonics) but this Dr Pepper knockoff in the form of a kombucha is seriously amazing. It tastes like the real thing PLUS you get billions of probiotics and all of the healing powers of a kombucha in each bottle. They also make a Cola, a Ginger, and a Root Beer that are worth trying.
They DO make a Dr Pepper version in a probiotic soda. It’s slightly sweeter than the kombucha version and they use Monk Fruit as a sweetener instead of stevia. They are both really really good.
OLIPOP- “The Healthy Alternative to Soda”- https://drinkolipop.com
Olipop Sparkling Tonics are also a really really good alternative to soda but this brand offers a totally different set of ingredients to not only super-satisfy your cola craving but vastly improve your gut health.
“Each of us possesses our own unique microbiome: a multi-trillion sized army of single cell organisms that protect us against germs, break down our meals, release energy and produce vitamins. It’s our job to feed the little armies that live within us, so that they can continue to fight to keep us healthy.”
Each flavor/formula contains a unique list of superfood ingredients designed to deliver a boost to your microbiome and help improve your gut health. Check out some of these ingredients….
- Calendula Flower Extract
- Slippery Elm Bark
- Cassava Root Fiber
- Nopal Cactus
- Chicory Root
Every can has NINE grams of fiber and they all taste kind of awesome. They make a Vintage Cola, Classic Root Beer, Cherry Vanilla, Ginger Lemon, Orange Squeeze and a Strawberry Vanilla. I highly recommend this brand.
Anything you can do on any given day to boost your microbiome is time and money well spent.
Here is a helpful article on things you can do to better manage or maintain your microbiome and have a positive impact on the bacteria living inside your body….
HEALTHLINE- “10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GUT BACTERIA, BASED ON SCIENCE”
“There are around 40 trillion bacteria in your body, most of which are in your intestines. Collectively, they are known as your gut microbiota, and they are hugely important for your health. However, certain types of bacteria in your intestines can also contribute to many diseases. Interestingly, the food that you eat greatly affects the types of bacteria that live inside you. Here are 10 science-based ways to improve your gut bacteria.” https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5
Jcliffyhuf & The Healthy Stuff 