Healthy Holiday Drinks

Drinks, when chosen wisely, can both refresh you and help you maintain a balanced diet. Drinks can also curb your appetite and may prevent you from overindulging on the tempting foods that are served at this time of year at shops, bars and parties. While alcoholic drinks can be a part of a balanced diet, many people report feeling better when avoiding alcohol.  

Consider these healthy, non-alcoholic holidays drinks to enjoy without deterring from your plans to eat healthy and stay fit: 

• Traditional milk hot chocolate can be loaded with fat and excess sugar. Try a hot chocolate made instead with almond, rice, coconut or any other milk substitute and use raw cacao powder and maple syrup or honey to sweeten and a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg (or both!) to flavour. Now you have a lightened-up, but still delicious, chocolatey beverage.  

• Try using green tea as a base for a less traditional “hot toddy” mocktail. Be sure to add plenty of fresh lemon for an added vitamin C boost and use maple syrup or honey to sweeten.  You can even add a fresh cinnamon stick! 
• Skip the vodka and enjoy a festive club soda with cranberry. You can even turn this drink into ice cubes: simply pour club soda into trays and place a few cranberries in each slot before freezing.    
• Sparkling water and fruit is the perfect choice this holiday season. You can use a combination of fruits like blueberries, apples, strawberries and cherries to create a sparkling winter berry holiday cocktail for your family to enjoy on a cozy evening at home or for entertaining.  Citrus is also a great choice: fresh lemon, lime and orange are sure to be crowd pleasers.  
• Indulge in a thick and creamy smoothie: blend together your favourite fruits and vegetable and add healthy sources of fiber, protein and fat such as yogurt or milk (plant based if you are avoiding dairy), nut butter and chia seeds. These nutrient dense drinks keep you hydrated and nourished.  

Dealing with a hectic schedule?  With the holiday season upon us, count on Honey Bee Meals to deliver fresh healthy gluten, dairy, nut and soy free meals right to your door twice weekly.  Our diverse menu changes weekly and features classic, low carb and vegan options.