5 Healthy Warm Drinks to Cozy Up with This Fall
Winter is just around the corner, but before the frigidness sets in, let's enjoy the crispness of autumn. Make something warm to cozy up with when the wind whips around the corner, sending a cascade of colorful autumn leaves swirling around.
While we all tend to fantasize in the fall about those favorite warm, coffee shop drinks we love, all that added sugar is off the table if you’re trying to stay healthy. You can stay on track with these five options. Each one will give you the warm fuzzies with zero guilt -- and they're even beneficial for your health!
1. Lemon Turmeric Water
Lemon and turmeric are star-studded ingredients in the health world. Combine them in hot water along with red chili powder to help give your metabolism a boost, and you'll have a tasty and healthy drink to enjoy all autumn long. With a pinch of coarse sea salt and a touch of raw honey, the flavor is lovely and unique.
2. Apple Cider
One of the best things about fall is the apple harvest. A simple warm glass of apple cider with a real cinnamon stick is something you can enjoy often. If you're not making your own, avoid any brands that add gobs of sugar. Stick to natural stuff, and you'll get plenty of vitamin C and pectin. The cinnamon stick helps blood sugar control while encouraging proper digestion -- something that can help you after any meal.
3. Ginger Tea
Ginger is a beloved anti-inflammatory that has been used for centuries in many cultures. Simply making thin slices of fresh ginger root and adding them to boiling water creates a ginger tea. Strain out the ginger, and you've got the perfect ginger tea that helps digestion, encourages bone health, and even can relieve coughing. While it's delicious as it is, if you need sweetness, add in some raw organic honey, which has plenty of benefits of its own.
4. A Healthier Pumpkin Spice Coffee
No fall drink list would be complete without the iconic PSL. Yet it's not exactly a healthy option, even if pumpkin itself IS good for you. At home, you can make it in a flash. Simply brew your favorite coffee with pumpkin pie spice added to your coffee grounds. Then, add nonfat almond milk to get that creamy and rich feeling.
5. Low-Cal Hot Chocolate
You can easily cheat by heating up a glass of chocolate almond milk. But if you'd prefer a more indulgent affair, heat nonfat milk and then stir in a tablespoon of unsweetened raw cacao powder. You'll get that warm, chocolatey feeling from head to toe.
Personally, my favorite drinks to keep warm with are unsweetened herbal teas like chamomile, a mildly sweetened chai, or “golden milk” made with turmeric, canned coconut milk and spices.
What are yours?
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