Beware the Unhealthy Drink!

Ever since our family dentist looked at my brother’s teeth and asked him if he routinely fell asleep with candy in his mouth and my mother saw the amount of money it would take to clear his teeth of cavities, I haven’t had anything but diet soda.

By Jess

Sugary sodas and juices went out the window as soon as my parents realized the havoc they were playing with our health (not like the aspartame in diet soda is any better…but…I mean…let’s not think about that), and since that fateful dentist appointment 13 years ago, I have been very conscious of the hidden bad stuff inside innocent-seeming liquids.

Sometimes, even the good, “healthy” stuff can stab you in the back. Need some examples?

Glaceau VitaminWater (20 oz)

This shiz has 130 calories and 33 grams of sugar. I love VitaminWater because it makes me feel like I’m ingesting actual vitamins, but when I force myself to think about it…how healthy can something that tastes THAT sweet really be?

Pina Colada

This summer drink has 625 freaking calories and 75 grams of sugar. Do you KNOW how many miles on the treadmill that is? Give me some rum and a splash of lime — still tropical, but waaayyy less mean to the waist line.

Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino Blended Crème (16 oz)

Oh Starbucks, you tricky little chain store, you! First, you inject your coffee with crazy cocaine-like caffeine (am I the only one who feels like they’re on speed after a cup there?!), then you go and make a drink with 510 calories and 59 grams of sugar. I know you’re trying to take over the world one over-priced concoction at a time, but giving your loyal subjects drinks that could possibly lead to arteries clogging? Not the best idea…

I could go on for seven more paragraphs, but I think I’ll spare us all and just recommend that you look at the ingredients of everything you ingest — including drinks. Just because something has “HEALTHY” or “LOW FAT” or “REAL FRUIT” on the label doesn’t necessarily mean anything. Read the details. Treat yourself right.

…And don’t fall asleep with candy in your mouth.