5 healthy hot beverages for cold weather

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in an area that stays relatively warm during the winter months, chances are you might be looking for some easy ways to warm up. Probably one of the best–and easiest–ways to take the chill off is to drink something hot; might as well warm up from the inside-out! If you’re worried about the calories and sugar in traditional beverages like hot cocoa, fear no more! Saludify has gathered a list of the top 5 hot beverages to try these snowy months. SEE ALSO: 5 herbal teas you must add to your health routine 5 healthy hot beverages for cold weather The hot chocolate imposter: Let’s face it, sometimes there’s just nothing like a hot cup of cocoa when you come in from outside. The downside is that most hot chocolate mixes contain too much added sugar and too many useless calories. There is, however, a great alternative: hot chocolate made with chocolate protein shake mix. That’s right, simple heat up some almond milk or other low-calorie liquid of choice and add a tablespoon of chocolate protein mix. Instant flavor and a lot better for you. If you can’t stand the thought of not using real chocolate, use dark chocolate when possible. The American Medical Association notes 3 ounces of dark chocolate daily can reduce blood pressure. Warm apple cider with cinnamon: The power of apples and cinnamon combine in this tasty drink. WebMD indicates warm apple cider with cinnamon provides the body with important antioxidants as well as blood sugar regulation. Remember, natural is always better. Ty to buy local apple cider which is less likely to have a lot of preservatives and added sugar. Warm red wine: Around the holidays it’s often tradition to warm up wine and add some spices, but doing this in moderation can also be great for your health. Many studies support red wine in a diet for antioxidant reasons, improved cardiovascular health and reduction of some cancer risk. Mother Nature News indicates hot, spiced wine, better known as mulled wine, is popular in countries around the world. Hot eggnog: Eggnog might not be the best for people watching their weight, but when made with low-fat or skim milk, this warm beverage can add some health benefits to your daily routine. The occasional glass of warm eggnog can provide the body with a proper dose of protein and lutein, an antioxidant indicated for preventing vision problems. Hot berry tea: Tis the season to branch out a little from the normal list of recommended teas (like green tea and Oolong tea) and try something with a holiday flavor, like raspberry tea. Not only will the berry flavor put you in a holiday mood, you reap the benefits of whichever herbal flavor you selected. If you’re looking to spice up your tea choice, add a few sticks of cinnamon while the tea steeps. SEE ALSO: Dealing with alcohol abuse during the holidaysThe post 5 healthy hot beverages for cold weather appeared first on Voxxi.

Por Hope Gillette

17 Dic 2014, 09:12 AM EST

There are plenty of healthy hot beverages to try this winter. (Shutterstock)

Unless you’re lucky enough to live in an area that stays relatively warm during the winter months, chances are you might be looking for some easy ways to warm up. Probably one of the best–and easiest–ways to take the chill off is to drink something hot; might as well warm up from the inside-out!

If you’re worried about the calories and sugar in traditional beverages like hot cocoa, fear no more! Saludify has gathered a list of the top 5 hot beverages to try these snowy months.

5 healthy hot beverages for cold weather

The hot chocolate imposter: Let’s face it, sometimes there’s just nothing like a hot cup of cocoa when you come in from outside. The downside is that most hot chocolate mixes contain too much added sugar and too many useless calories. There is, however, a great alternative: hot chocolate made with chocolate protein shake mix. That’s right, simple heat up some almond milk or other low-calorie liquid of choice and add a tablespoon of chocolate protein mix. Instant flavor and a lot better for you. If you can’t stand the thought of not using real chocolate, use dark chocolate when possible. The American Medical Association notes 3 ounces of dark chocolate daily can reduce blood pressure.
Warm apple cider with cinnamon: The power of apples and cinnamon combine in this tasty drink. WebMD indicates warm apple cider with cinnamon provides the body with important antioxidants as well as blood sugar regulation. Remember, natural is always better. Ty to buy local apple cider which is less likely to have a lot of preservatives and added sugar.
Mulled wine, or warm wine with spices, is a common winter beverage. (Shutterstock)
Warm red wine: Around the holidays it’s often tradition to warm up wine and add some spices, but doing this in moderation can also be great for your health. Many studies support red wine in a diet for antioxidant reasons, improved cardiovascular health and reduction of some cancer risk. Mother Nature News indicates hot, spiced wine, better known as mulled wine, is popular in countries around the world.
Hot eggnog: Eggnog might not be the best for people watching their weight, but when made with low-fat or skim milk, this warm beverage can add some health benefits to your daily routine. The occasional glass of warm eggnog can provide the body with a proper dose of protein and lutein, an antioxidant indicated for preventing vision problems.
Hot berry tea: Tis the season to branch out a little from the normal list of recommended teas (like green tea and Oolong tea) and try something with a holiday flavor, like raspberry tea. Not only will the berry flavor put you in a holiday mood, you reap the benefits of whichever herbal flavor you selected. If you’re looking to spice up your tea choice, add a few sticks of cinnamon while the tea steeps.