When you think about MyPlate, food might be the first thing that comes to mind. But it’s important to pay attention to what you drink, too. The main thing to watch for is added sugars in the drinks you choose. There are tons of drinks out there—soda, juice, sports drinks, and more. But water is still the best choice when it comes to keeping your body happy and hydrated. Going for water instead of sweetened drinks helps save money because it’s inexpensive (or free!). It also helps you meet the MyPlate recommendation to cut back on added sugar, especially if you’re used to drinking sweetened beverages.
Follow These Helpful Tips:
- Keep Water Nearby. If water is easy to grab, you’ll drink more of it!
- Carry a water bottle with you
- Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge or on the table
- Put water bottles in places you hang out, like your desk or car
- Make Water Fun. Drinking plain water all the time can get boring.
- Add fruit or herbs like lemon slices, crushed berries, or mint leaves
- Drink sparkling water (just make sure it’s made without sugar or salt)
- Give our Strawberry Sipper Water or Citrus Cucumber Water recipes a try!
- Set Reminders. Until it becomes a habit, set alarms or reminders to drink water. You can also link it to things you already do, like:
- When you wake up
- Before meals or snacks
- Before and after exercise
- Before bed
Remember that making gradual changes means you’ll be more likely to stick with it. Try swapping one sweetened drink with water each day, then two, then three, and so on. Once you get used to drinking more water, you’ll feel better and wonder why you didn’t start sooner! To learn more about making better beverage choices, visit the Beverages Section of the Eat.Move. Save. Grocery Store Tour and be sure to play the fun Beverage Game!