Spring clean your beverages

September 11th, 2012

Appliance Talk

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to stop at tidying up around the home – your body often needs an overhaul following the long winter months.

That sluggish feeling after eating lots of comfort food and not keeping your fluids up because of the cooler weather can leave you feeling tired and cranky come summer.

But while the warmer weather can leave you feeling thirsty again, are you reaching for the right drink?

Last month, consumer group Choice investigated whether the latest health fad of coconut water is as healthy as Australians think.

The study found that there is nothing harmful about the drink, however consuming water and eating a wide range of fruit and vegetables would have more health benefits.

According to the University of Canberra’s Joanna Henryks, while coconut water is pitched at those looking for a healthier alternative to sugary drinks, it does not necessarily contain all of the ingredients nutritionists and dietitians look for.

“It’s the drink people would reach for thinking they are doing the right thing by consuming a ‘natural’ product,” Dr Henryks said (August 21).

“It just doesn’t have enough inherent benefits to be sustainable.”

So what are some healthy alternatives to soft drink or alcohol?

Water

Of course, it comes as no surprise that water is the winner on any given day. Calorie free and readily available, it is the perfect go-to drink in any situation.

Not only does water up about 60 per cent of your body weight, it flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients around your body and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.

There is conflicting advice on just how much water you should drink every day, but you want to aim for at least two litres.

Adding a slice of orange or lemon can add some instant flavour, while a chilled filter tap offers fresh water free of bugs and sediment in an instant.

Tea

One of the healthiest ways to enjoy water is tea. Renowned for its health benefits – particularly when it comes to protecting against cancer, lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease – tea is a welcomed alternative to plain ol’ water for many people.

Correctly brewing tea and fiddling with tea pots and cups can be troublesome, so a designated tea maker may make the whole process a lot easier.

The Breville Tea Maker can make 1.2 litres of tea at various strengths and temperatures, as well as offering a 60 minute warming function.

If you don’t feel like serving your tea hot, why not make a delicious iced tea by adding honey or sugar and lemon to a cup of cooled brewed tea and then add two cups of cold filtered water and serve.

Juice

If you need some a little more flavoursome, but still just as healthy, making your own juice is a popular option.

Fruits, vegetables, leafy greens and even some nuts can be turned into a delicious and healthy beverage without the need for sugar.

You can try out different flavour combinations on a Coway Juicepresso cold press juicer, which squeezes ingredients slowly in order to keep as many enzymes, minerals and vitamins into your beverage as possible.

The Juicepresso is also self-cleaning, ejecting the peel and pulp while juicing and only requiring a quick rinse under running water.

Make your own ice blocks to enjoy on a hot summers day by freezer the juice in a designated mould.