It is no secret that soda is not healthy. With the added sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors and high calorie content, there is little about it that is worth drinking. While diet soda certainly has fewer calories, it is also chock-full of artificial sweeteners and unhealthy ingredients. Plus, the caffeine makes soda addictive. Plain water is the best drink to hydrate your body and keep you healthy, but sometimes you want something besides water. Here are three delicious natural soda replacements you can drink to kick your soda habit.

Sparking Water

A very simple soda replacement is refreshing sparkling water. The best part about it is that it can be flavored any way you wish. For a lemon/lime soda replacement, simply squeeze in the juice of a lime and a lemon and then add a drop of stevia. For other fruit flavors, cut up your favorite fruits like pineapple, coconut, cherries or berries and place in a glass pitcher in the refrigerator. Allow the flavors to meld with the sparkling water for a couple hours and then enjoy a invigorating drink.

Kombucha

If you have not heard about kombucha yet, pay attention for a delightful surprise! Kombucha is a fermented tea made from black tea, sugar and a scoby (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast). It is fermented much like beer, so the result is a slightly carbonated refreshing drink. Full of healthy probiotics, kombucha is excellent for your digestive system. When you start drinking kombucha though, start with a small amount to allow your body time to get used to drinking it.

To make kombucha, you simply brew black tea and mix in organic sugar and a scoby in a large glass jar. Allow it to sit undisturbed for 5-7 days and then transfer to glass jars with a small amount of fruit juice for another 2-3 day ferment. Refrigerate to stop the fermentation process and enjoy the natural soda.

Tea

Tea of any kind is an excellent soda replacement. Iced black tea is especially good on a hot summer afternoon or when you go out to eat. Green, herbal or white tea is a delicious and healthy pick me up in the early afternoon. Its natural vitality will boost your body’s energy without the harmful ingredients of a soda. With so many delicious varieties to choose from, try them out to find which ones you like the best.

Replacing all soda in your diet with healthier alternatives will support your health and your waistline. Kombucha, sparkling water and tea all provide benefits to your body besides being tasty. Switching out your daily soda with a natural soda alternative will increase your energy naturally and support your body in numerous ways.