- Avoid fruit juices (even homemade). They are naturally high in sugar and low in fiber.
- Drink water as your primary beverage, approximately eight eight-ounce glasses per day:
- Needs increase in heat and with physical activity
- Reduce/Limit your intake of caffeinated beverages:
- Coffee two or fewer eight-ounce cups per day
- Tea four or fewer eight-ounce cups per day
- Limit regular soda, specialty coffee drinks, and smoothies. They are high in calories and sugar.
- Alcohol consumption should be limited to one per day for a woman and two per day for a man
- One drink is defined as: four to five ounces of wine, 12 ounces beer or one and a half ounces of hard liquor.
- Avoid altogether if your physician has advised you of this.
- Avoid if taking medication or herbal supplements that interact.
- Avoid if there is a history of substance or alcohol abuse.
- Avoid or limit if trying to lose weight (it is high in calories).
- Moderate drinking (as described above) is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and may improve insulin action.
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