How many days a week do you stop and get a sugary coffee on the way to the office – maybe a mocha or a French vanilla latte? How many afternoons do you get a soda out of your break room vending machine?
If your answer is, “more often than not,” you’re not alone. According to a recent article from the Harvard School of Public Health, sugar-sweetened beverages are the single largest source of added sugar in our diet. But when you consider that a 20-ounce soft drink contains approximately 16 teaspoons of sugar, you may want to re-think your drink choices and start choosing healthier beverages at work. After all, high-sugar diets lead to short term problems like energy crashes, fatigue, and digestive problems which impact your productivity and work performance. More importantly, diets high in sugar lead to increased risk for chronic illness including:
- Heart Disease
Obesity- Diabetes
- Autoimmune diseases
- Gout
- Bone deterioration
To help you improve your energy and feel better throughout the day while improving your overall health, we’re sharing some healthier substitutes for your favorite sugary drinks.
Top 10 Healthiest Workplace Drink Choices
Water
Feeling tired, sluggish, and have a headache in the afternoon – while most people grab caffeine for a pick-me-up, it could be your body’s way of telling you you’re dehydrated. Drinking water throughout the day will keep you feeling more energized and it’s healthier for your body over all. To improve your water consumption, make sure your office vending machines offer bottled water as an option or consider getting a reusable cup you can take to the water cooler throughout the day.
Sparkling or Flavored Water
Not a fan of plain, still water and find yourself craving fizzy, flavored drinks? Swap your soda for a sparkling water like LaCroix, Dasani, or Bubly that offer the fizz and bright, eye-opening flavor you want without the sugar.
Green Tea
If you love your lattes, consider swapping them out for a green tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which can reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Plus, it has a bit of caffeine to give you an energy boost without leading to a crash later on. Sweeten with stevia for a natural, sugar-free option or try a bit of honey instead.
Check to see if your office coffee machine has a hot water spout so you can easily brew a cup on your break, or see if your office vending machines have bottled green tea available if you prefer a cold drink.
Black Tea
Green tea is incredibly beneficial, but black tea is a close second and is often more accessible, especially at your office. It has antioxidants that boost heart health and reduce the risk of cancer, while giving you the caffeine boost you need to stave off the afternoon fatigue. Whether you prefer it hot or iced, sweeten it with stevia or monkfruit for a naturally sugar-free option that still tastes great!
Orange Juice
While fruit juices are high in sugar, the good news is that 100 percent orange juice has a lower sugar content than many other juices, like apple and grape, at only eight grams per 100 mL. Plus, it is packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and potassium, and many varieties are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. The important thing to remember with fruit juices is that moderation is key.
Coffee
Yes, earlier we mentioned how the sugar-sweetened coffee house drinks lead to health problems. However, coffee has multiple health benefits when consumed in moderation. It can protect your heart, reduce the risk of illness, and can even boost your metabolism. It only becomes unhealthy when the flavored syrups, whipped cream, and half-and-half are added to it.
Contact Atlantic Vending for Healthier Beverages in Your Workplace
If you want your office to a wider selection of healthy beverages for your employees, Atlantic Vending can help. Serving New Jersey offices, apartment buildings, schools, and business, we do our part to promote healthy living. To learn more about our healthy vending machine options, call us at 1-888-218-8363 or fill out the form below to get started!
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