Cutting Soda Addiction with Infused Waters

Soda is bad news for people who want a healthy lifestyle.  And while there are options such as iced or hot teas and tisanes for people who do not like the taste of water, these drinks are not for everyone.  Infused waters have recently come back into popularity.  There are a wide variety of flavors and flavor combinations for infused water.  It is really up to the creativity of the cook as to what is in the pitcher.

Make Your Own Infused Water

Making an infused water is as simple as washing some fruits or vegetables, cutting them up and mashing them slightly, doing the same for some herbs, putting them in the bottom of a pitcher, and adding water.  The juices and oils from the fruits and herbs flavor the water. 

It takes about a cup of fruit or vegetables, 3 tablespoons of fresh herbs, and a quart of water.  The fruit should be mashed a little and the herbs bruised.  This mixture gets refrigerated for at least an hour (but 4 is better).  It can be sweetened with stevia, sugar, or honey, although it is not necessary to sweeten it at all unless that is a preference. 

Don't Like Plain Water?

Infused water gives a flavor option to plain water for people who really just don't like plain water.  It helps to tone down the impact of a very sweet soda, both flavor and sweetness, and takes artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives out of a daily beverage.  It is a great hydration option for people who are trying to kick the soda habit and just aren't drinking enough water. Common flavor combinations are berries or citrus and mint, rosemary and grapefruit, sage and blackberries, and strawberry, lemon and ginger. Infused waters will last about a week in the refrigerator before they need to be replaced with a fresh mix.

Avoiding sugary drinks, diet sodas and no-calorie versions is a step in the right direction for those who are trying to lose weight. Even no-calorie sodas consumed in quantity will likely lead to increased belly fat, which is one of the reasons most people decide to lose weight. To learn more about restoring your good health and losing weight fast on a proven system, contact the Metabolic Research Center for help. We've been helping people just like you lose weight and keep it off for three decades.