Your daily nutritional intake can keep your body in tip-top shape. When you’re busy jamming too many tasks in one day, however, you may tend to neglect yourself. Fortunately, nutritional drinks can help maintain your body’s nutritional needs without requiring tedious preparation. Jump-start and end your days with nutritional drinks that will help you stay on track.
Milk
Milk contains plenty of calcium, potassium and phosphorus; it also contains other vitamins (except vitamin D) and nutrients that your body needs. You’ll find milk fortified with vitamin D in stores. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends three servings of milk and milk products each day. Researchers at McMaster University in Canada say that women who drank two full glasses of milk after working out lost more fat and gained more muscles than women who drank sugar-based energy drinks. Drink milk plain, with tea or coffee, or mix it with fruits, such as bananas, strawberries and blueberries, to make smoothies or milkshakes.
Soy Milk
If you have lactose intolerance (inability to digest milk and milk products), you’re probably better off drinking soy milk instead of milk from animals. Made by grinding soybeans in water, soy milk does not contain lactose, often found in regular milk. Rich in proteins and vitamin B, soy milk also has isoflavones, which help prevent bone fractures in post- and early menopausal women. In addition, isoflavones help reduce hot flushes in post- and early menopausal women, reports “Menopause.” Soy milk does not contain high amounts of calcium; however, you can buy soy milk fortified with calcium. If you think soy milk does not taste delicious, think again. Soy milk sold commercially comes in different flavors, which include vanilla, chocolate and strawberry, to suit your taste buds. Add soy in your coffee or use it to make smoothie for a refreshing drink.
Green Tea
Green tea contains antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and heart diseases. A study of 8,552 residents of Saitama Prefecture, Japan, conducted by the Saitama Cancer Center Research Institute showed that residents who drank at least 10 cups of green tea per day have a lower risk of having cancer compared to those who drank only three cups of green tea per day. Hot or cold, with or without sugar, drink green tea any time of the day.
Orange Juice
You’ll benefit from drinking orange juice if you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant. Rich in vitamin C, folate and folic acid, orange juice also contains large amounts of potassium. Folate helps produce and maintain new red blood cells, DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid), especially in pregnant women. In addition, folate helps prevent cancer and anemia.
Prune Juice
Prunes contain plenty of iron. Drinking prune juice if you experience heavy blood loss during your menstrual period can help prevent iron-deficiency anemia. In addition, prune juice can help with constipation.
