The keto diet is all about consuming only high-fat and low-carb foods and drinks. The idea is to substitute your daily carbs for fat, which causes your body to enter into the metabolic state of ketosis that helps you lose weight.
Hydration is important on the keto diet because carbs help your body hold onto the water it needs. Without carbohydrates in your diet, your body fluid—and with it, your electrolytes—can be out of balance.
Can You Drink Diet Sodas on Keto?
Diet soda, with its artificial sweeteners, tricks your body into receiving that sugar taste and fulfilling your sugar craving at no caloric cost to you. However, it comes with a price, as diet sodas have been linked with various health issues, including obesity. In fact, a study by Purdue researchers found that the artificial sweeteners in diet soda can trick your body into increasing your cravings for sweet foods. So yes, you can still drink diet sodas, but it's best to be cautious.
Top 5 Drinks That Are Keto-friendly
Instead of reaching for diet soda, try drinking more of these keto-friendly beverages.
1. Water
Water is the holy grail of drinks, whether you're on a diet or not. The benefits of drinking water are profound—it helps regulate your body temperature, rids your body of waste and supports healthy blood pressure. However, it's not always easy to remember to drink water throughout the day, so try carrying a water bottle with you when you're on the go or keeping one next to you at your desk.
2. Sparkling Water
Plain water can sometimes get a little boring. If you want something different that's also keto-friendly, load up on sparkling water. Naturally low carb and sugar free, sparkling water can add some flavor and excitement to your diet.
3. Tea
Do you like to start your day with coffee or tea? On the approved list for the ketogenic diet are both green and black teas, as well as any other low-carb tea you enjoy. Besides sticking to the keto diet, green teas also come with many other benefits, like added phytonutrients. What else is keto-friendly? Unsweetened heavy cream—the perfect addition to your tea that you can add without feeling bad about it.
4. Coffee
Just like tea, coffee is definitely allowed on the keto diet. Black coffee is obviously the best way to go, but if you're used to a sugar-laden cup of joe in the morning (or when the afternoon slump hits), try adding some butter instead; it will both taste wonderful and help jump-start your day by putting your body into fat-burning mode.
5. Milk Alternatives
Cow's milk contains lactose, which is a naturally occurring sugar, so it's not keto friendly, but there are many milk alternatives you can still enjoy just as much. Keep in mind that some brands add sugar to their milk alternatives, so it's always a good idea to check the label. The milk options you may want to check out include almond, soy, macadamia nut, cashew and coconut.
Is Alcohol Keto?
Different from many other diets, the keto diet allows for a moderate amount of alcohol. If you want a glass of wine, you're less likely to encounter added sugars if you opt for a dry variety. Beers are generally frowned upon because of their natural ingredients, but low-carb beers may be okay to enjoy, such as Miller Lite, Michelob Ultra, or less mainstream options like Dogfish Head's IPA.
When it comes to spirits, you're pretty safe from falling off the keto wagon because these options tend to have low to no carbs. Feel free to enjoy vodka, gin or whiskey with an appropriate keto-friendly mixer.
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**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
