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6 Types of Heart-Healthy Holiday Beverages

Key Points

  • Traditional holiday beverages like eggnog and hot chocolate can be high in fat and not heart-healthy. The article suggests six healthier alternatives to enjoy during the festive season.
  • Alcohol-free mixed drinks made with fresh fruits, fruit juices, and seltzer are recommended. These drinks can include heart-healthy ingredients like oranges, ginger, and pomegranate, and do not contain cholesterol or fat.
  • Hot beverages made with heart-healthy ingredients such as milk, cinnamon, pomegranate, and green tea are also suggested. Alcohol should be skipped where drinks call for it.
  • Red wine in moderation is good for heart health due to its antioxidants, anti-clotting agents, and resveratrol. Soda should be replaced with heart-healthy alternatives like flavored sparkling water or low-sodium vegetable juices.
  • The article also recommends store-bought or homemade fruit and vegetable juices with no added sugar, and low-fat or skim milk as heart-healthy beverage choices.

During the holidays, you're more likely to come across beverages that are not good for your heart. Eggnog and hot chocolate have a lot of fat, and too much alcohol is not good for you. Here are six types of heart-healthy holiday beverages to try instead.

6 Types of Heart-Healthy Holiday Beverages

Key Points

  • Traditional holiday beverages like eggnog and hot chocolate can be high in fat and not heart-healthy. The article suggests six healthier alternatives to enjoy during the festive season.
  • Alcohol-free mixed drinks made with fresh fruits, fruit juices, and seltzer are recommended. These drinks can include heart-healthy ingredients like oranges, ginger, and pomegranate, and do not contain cholesterol or fat.
  • Hot beverages made with heart-healthy ingredients such as milk, cinnamon, pomegranate, and green tea are also suggested. Alcohol should be skipped where drinks call for it.
  • Red wine in moderation is good for heart health due to its antioxidants, anti-clotting agents, and resveratrol. Soda should be replaced with heart-healthy alternatives like flavored sparkling water or low-sodium vegetable juices.
  • The article also recommends store-bought or homemade fruit and vegetable juices with no added sugar, and low-fat or skim milk as heart-healthy beverage choices.

During the holidays, you're more likely to come across beverages that are not good for your heart. Eggnog and hot chocolate have a lot of fat, and too much alcohol is not good for you. Here are six types of heart-healthy holiday beverages to try instead.

Mixed Drinks

You can create special holiday mixed drinks without adding the alcohol. Many holiday drink recipes call for fresh fruit blended with fruit juices and seltzer. Some of the recipes have ingredients such as oranges, ginger, and pomegranate, which are all very healthy for the heart. Many of them also contain vitamins, carbs, and proteins, which also improve your health. They don't contain cholesterol or fat.

Hot Beverages

If you're looking for a delicious drink to warm you up during the holidays without risking your heart-health, look no further than hot beverages. These beverages can be made in your slow cooker, and call for heart-healthy ingredients such as milk, cinnamon, pomegranate, and green tea. Imagine warming yourself in front of the fireplace with a warm cup of berry-lemonade tea or mocha hot cocoa. You can even treat your guests to wonderful healthy spiced beverages, such as spiced caramel cider, and ginger-lemon hot toddies. Skip the alcohol where the drinks call for it.

Heart-Healthy Alcohol

Surprisingly, red wine can actually be good for your heart, in moderation. Red wine has antioxidants and anti-clotting agents, as well as resveratrol, which studies have shown helps to prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces bad cholesterol, and prevents blood clots.

Soda Alternatives

Instead of serving soda at your holiday parties, opt for heart-healthy alternatives instead. Add natural flavor to sparkling water with slices of healthy citrus fruit, berries, melon, cucumber, and mint. Serve green tea flavored naturally with honey and lemon. Mix heart-healthy juices, including grape, pomegranate, and cranberry, with sparkling water. Create low-sodium vegetable juices by blending carrots, spinach, bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, and other heart-healthy vegetables with water.

Even if you are just making the switch to soda alternatives, you may still experience the symptoms of the high sugar level in soda. Visiting an urgent care near you to check your heart health and other vitals is a great way to stay conscious of your health.

Juice

Store-bought, fruit Juices made of fresh fruits and vegetables (with no added sugar) also make a wonderful heart-healthy beverage choice. For the holidays, try cranberry juice, apple cider, carrot juice, and blueberry pomegranate. Select juices that combine fruits and vegetables together for a healthy treat throughout the day and with meals. There are several on the market you can choose from, or you can create your own unique blends at home.

Milk

Milk provides several nutritional benefits, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium, all important for heart health. Choose low-fat or skim milk for a heart-healthy beverage. Heat it on the stove top or even in the microwave for a warm treat. Mix in a little fresh cocoa for flavor. Avoid chemical-filled premade milk drinks, powders, and syrups. Add bananas and wheat germ for a delicious and nutritious shake.

If you're following a heart-healthy diet, there's no need to skimp on the fun holiday drinks. With a little imagination, you can enjoy delicious, festive drinks that are good for you and your heart. Try one of these beverage types this holiday season. Don’t overdo it on the sugar, but if you do, visit an urgent care facility to get back on track with your health.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are some heart-healthy alternatives to traditional holiday beverages?

    Some heart-healthy alternatives to traditional holiday beverages include mixed drinks without alcohol, hot beverages made with heart-healthy ingredients, moderate amounts of red wine, soda alternatives, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and low-fat or skim milk.
  • What are some ingredients that can be used in heart-healthy mixed drinks?

    Ingredients such as oranges, ginger, pomegranate, fruit juices, and seltzer can be used to make heart-healthy mixed drinks. These ingredients are high in vitamins, carbs, and proteins, and do not contain cholesterol or fat.
  • What are some heart-healthy hot beverages that can be enjoyed during the holidays?

    Hot beverages such as berry-lemonade tea, mocha hot cocoa, spiced caramel cider, and ginger-lemon hot toddies can be enjoyed during the holidays. These drinks can be made with heart-healthy ingredients such as milk, cinnamon, pomegranate, and green tea.
  • How can red wine be beneficial for heart health?

    Red wine, when consumed in moderation, can be beneficial for heart health. It contains antioxidants and anti-clotting agents, as well as resveratrol, which helps to prevent damage to blood vessels, reduces bad cholesterol, and prevents blood clots.
  • What are some heart-healthy alternatives to soda?

    Heart-healthy alternatives to soda include sparkling water flavored with healthy citrus fruit, berries, melon, cucumber, and mint, green tea flavored naturally with honey and lemon, and low-sodium vegetable juices made by blending heart-healthy vegetables with water.
  • What types of store-bought juices are considered heart-healthy?

    Store-bought juices made of fresh fruits and vegetables with no added sugar are considered heart-healthy. Some examples include cranberry juice, apple cider, carrot juice, and blueberry pomegranate.
  • How can milk contribute to heart health?

    Milk provides several nutritional benefits that are important for heart health, including calcium, potassium, and magnesium. For a heart-healthy beverage, it is recommended to choose low-fat or skim milk.
  • What should one do if they overdo it on sugar during the holidays?

    If one overdoes it on sugar during the holidays, it is recommended to visit an urgent care facility to get back on track with their health.

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