7 Day New Year Slim Down – Day 3 – Healthiest Drink Options

For those of you joining us for this 7 day New Year Slim Down series today please make sure you check day the previous days here.

This year I wanted to do something a little bit different on the blog, by focusing 100% on setting that New Year’s intention correctly and making the most of your New Year’s motivation. We are after a lifestyle change rather than something that you do for a few weeks and then give up. When we give up we often feel bad for quitting but know that everything will be okay as you’ve quit every other year as well.  The thing is, we spend half the year feeling pretty average about ourselves due to giving up and not reaching that goal we set for ourselves.

Today’s New Year’s Slim Down is all about healthy drink options.

While this could be a very short post as I could just tell you that plain old water is the best option and leave it at that. I know that in our modern day society we aren’t happy with just having water all the time, and why should we be with all the yummy drink options that are out there in this day and age?! It doesn’t have to be a toss-up between ‘being good’ and ‘treat yo’self’.

Non-Alcoholic

// H20

Water is always the best option when it comes to hydration, there is no denying it. Our bodies are made up of around 60%+ water and we lose this water through everyday activities as well as when we work up a sweat (which we will all be doing more of now we are coming into summer!). It’s essential to replenish this water and the best way to do this is through simply drinking water straight from the tap (or spring, or bottle). The added bonus with water is that it’s free and widely available (cleanly) in the western world. It is actually a privilege for us to be able to go straight to a tap and drink from it without fear of getting sick!

// Coconut Water

Coconut water is best served extra cold and is amazing for hydration as well. A word of warning for those who haven’t tried coconut water is that it does not taste great when it’s even remotely warm so make sure you always have your coconut water in your fridge cooling, I’d even go so far as to adding a couple of ice cubes. I personally like VitaCoco which you can buy at most supermarkets and they come in handy 1L bottles which are great for having at home. Coconut water is low in calories, rich in potassium, and fat and cholesterol free, making it a great option for when you feel like something a little different to tap water.

// Flavoured Waters

If you’re not a fan of coconut water and really can’t stomach always having plain tap (or spring) water, the next best option would be to slightly flavour your water. When I talk about flavoured waters I don’t mean going to the dairy and getting a bottle of flavoured water (unless you read the label) as most of them are FULL of sugar and other ingredients I can’t pronounce. My recommendation here is to either use plain lemon juice or lime juice to flavour your water in the first instance or if you really need something a bit more than that (I know sometimes you just really crave a little something sweet in your water!), I’d recommend the Soda Stream waters range. They are a range of naturally flavoured syrups which you can add to your water (tap water works fine, and no need for a Soda Stream machine!). My favourites are the crisp red apple and the home style lemonade. If you have a Soda Stream machine you can even fizz up some water so you feel as though you are getting a fizzy drink as well.

Alcoholic Options

// Long White Vodka

Long White Vodka is a new RTD (ready to drink) on the scene! Don’t be scared off when you hear RTD like I almost was, I am well and truly over the days of buying premixed sugar filled alcoholic beverages to get me through awkward university style parties. Long White Vodka is NZ made tripled distilled vodka with no added table sugar! Long White Vodka comes in three different flavours (Lemon and Lime, Passionfruit and Raspberry), is super refreshing with a touch of sweetness yet doesn’t give you that ‘sugar hangover’ feeling after having a couple. I can see myself enjoying a Long White Vodka at the end of a hard day renovating our new home this summer, perhaps after a quick dip at the beach! With between 160-170 calories per bottle you can rest assured that a couple of bottles with friends won’t derail your hard work at the gym during the year!

// Wine

I will preface this paragraph with the fact that I am NOT a wine drinker, I don’t enjoy it at all so tend to avoid drinking it. However I know that there are many people out there who really do love the stuff. If you are going to be drinking wine the most important thing you can do it correctly measure out your serving size, a serving of wine is 100ml (I don’t even kid!) and most people would easily pour 250-300ml+ when they pour a glass of wine at home. You know when the bottle only lasts three glasses that you are overdoing your serving size. A bottle of wine should last you 7 (seven!) drinks. Your best bet when it comes to wine is to choose a lower alcohol percentage and ensure you are drinking a standard serving size each time you partake in a tipple. A glass or two every now and again will not send you right off the rails, just remember to enjoy each mouthful.

// Spirits

The best options when it comes to having an alcoholic drink are clear spirits (not mixed with fizzy). The Long White Vodka I mentioned above is perfect for when you need an on the go option and spirits on the rocks are a great option for when you are at home (if you have it at home!). Remember a 30ml shot is a serving and your best to serve over ice or with soda water if you need a mixer to save yourself the calories and the sugar from the mixes that traditionally come with spirits. Follow my tips for being alcohol savvy and you’ll be in for a good night, without the repercussions of a hangover or derailing all your hard work during the year!

7 Day New Years Slim Down – Homework

• Choose at least one non-alcoholic and one alcoholic (or two non-alcoholic if you don’t drink) drink and ensure you have the best option on hand in your cupboards so you can make good choices next time you need a drink 🙂

WIN WIN WIN

• Leave a comment letting us know which non-alcoholic and alcoholic drink would you be most likely to reach for to go into the draw to win a $20 prezzy card to stock up your favourite drinks. – Competition closes 29th Jan 8pm. Please read the Terms and Conditions for all Competitions Here.

This post was made possible thanks to Long White Vodka, if you’re in a ‘treat yo’self’ mood, give one of their new RTD’s a try. NZ Made triple distilled vodka with no added table sugar!