By Beverly Terhune

There was a time when the natural and healthy beverage section was limited to herbal teas and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Now we find not only the traditional favorites on the shelves, but new options that are very healthy, tasty, and provide needed nutrients for our busy lives.

Here are few you can try:

Water

Whether it is flat or fizzy, flavored or plain, water is a fundamental component of your family fitness plan and is the perfect beverage for everyone.

Water helps to fill you up and is important for many bodily functions. There are many drinks masquerading as water that still have sugar or artificial sweeteners added.

Read all labels to be sure the water has no calories or artificial sweeteners so you get the real deal. It is very important, as a parent, to teach children to carry water bottles.

Educate them with the facts that lots of pro athletes, teenagers, and health conscious young adults carry water bottles to maintain good health and keep cool too! Here are some ideas for making water more appealing to your kids.

1. Have plenty of flavored seltzer waters available as an alternative to plain water.

2. Use fresh lemon, lime, or other citrus fruit slices in your water. Alternatively, try adding natural extracts like peppermint, vanilla or flavored Stevia.

3. Always keep bottled water in the car, Keep water bottles visible on the counters and tables in your home and remember to place water bottles inside backpacks to be taken to school and day care.

Healthy Fruit Juices

Mangosteen juice is very high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are the substances that neutralize damaging free radicals in the body. Some of the first antioxidants discovered were Vitamin C and Vitamin E.

More recently, plant pigments, the things that produce the colors in fruits and vegetables, have been found to contain even more potent antioxidant ability. This provides scientific proof of the common sense notion that a diet with a wide variety of deeply colored fruits and vegetables is healthy.

Free radicals are the bad guys, naturally produced in the body by our regular functioning. Free radicals are a normal part of life. We see their damage all around us, from rust on steel, to the brittleness of old plastic, to the lines on our faces. Free radicals damage healthy cells.

They have been identified as major causes of disease and what we call aging may really be accumulated damage of free radicals over time. All the things we know are bad for us such as stress, smoking, and exposure to pollutants increase production of free radicals in our body and can have long lasting, damaging effects.

Antioxidants work to stop free radical damage and we all must try to increase consumption of them in our diets. Mangosteen juice or capsules are sold in the US as dietary supplements and can provide a delicious and convenient way to boost the antioxidant content of your daily diet.

Nothing takes the place of eating pure, all natural fruits and vegetables, but using a mangosteen supplement can provide a valuable, convenient way to boost the antioxidant content in your diet. Eat your antioxidants everyday and fight the effects of aging.

Vegetable Juice

Vegetable juice is a great way to lower your calories and vegetable juice offers antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C, and other nutrients such as lycopene, which has been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Eight ounces of vegetable juice has 2 grams of fiber, is very low in sugar, and has only 50 calories.

Unsweetened Teas

Unsweetened teas, those that are already bottled, and homemade iced or hot herbal teas can be great calorie free options. Black and green teas also have proven health benefits, such as decreasing your risk of cancer and lowering cholesterol.

Many herbal teas taste sweet enough on their own, so you do not need to add any extra sugar or honey. If they do not seem sweet enough, try adding a small amount of 100 percent fruit juice for a delicious blend. Teas come in many flavors, such as berry, orange, and cinnamon, so you have plenty of options to try. When buying bottled teas, be sure to check the nutrition labels to make certain they have no calories.

Protein Drinks: Whey and Green

Green drinks will help to instantly alkalize your body by neutralizing the excess acids that a modern Western diet commonly includes. You may feel a massive increase in energy, and may no longer feel the urge to snack or reach for sugary and caffeine based energy sources.

Many people also report feeling full of energy upon rising and are able to get up far earlier in the morning. Green drinks can help ward off illness, reduce the amount of infections, and dramatically reduce the amount of yeasts and toxins in the body.

Pea protein is classed as an alternative protein, a market that is growing at a rapid pace, for a variety of reasons. Alternative sources of protein are having a profound influence on the formulation of weight conscious food and diets based on low glycemic index (GI) and high protein intake. Traditional manufacturers are beginning to look at new protein sources as a means of enriching their products.

Here are some benefits of the Greens Protein 8 in 1 that Olympian Labs manufactures:

Balances blood sugar levels.

Enhances the immune system.

Helps to neutralize excess acidity.

Naturally and gently helps to detoxify our system.

Improves digestive function.

Improves regularity.

Provides excellent antioxidant protection against free radicals.

Increases energy levels naturally without the use of stimulants.

Provides a wide variety of nutrients to support cellular metabolism.

Increases mental acuity by providing nutrients essential for brain function.

Establishes a proper pH in the intestines leading to a healthy colon environment.

Whey protein is a pure, natural, high quality protein from milk produced by cows. It is a rich source of the essential amino acids needed on a daily basis by the body. In its purest form, as whey protein isolate, it contains little to no fat, lactose or cholesterol.

Whey protein is an excellent protein choice for individuals of all ages. It provides a number of benefits in areas including sports nutrition, weight management, immune support, bone health, and general wellness. Whey protein is a naturally complete protein. It contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. It has the ideal combination of amino acids to help improve body composition and enhance athletic performance.

Whey protein is a soluble, easy to digest protein and is efficiently absorbed into the body. Whey protein helps athletes maintain a healthy immune system by increasing the levels of glutathione in the body. Glutathione is an anti-oxidant required for a healthy immune system and exercise and resistance training may reduce glutathione levels. Whey protein helps keep athletes healthy and strong to perform their best.

As with any vitamin or supplement, please consult your doctor before taking. Author Beverly Terhune speaks from 35 years of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis and shares her experience, strength & hope on how to lead a healthy, substance-free life.

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