Healthy Drinks That Can Be Your Daily Companion Besides Coffee and Sweet Tea, Here’s How
October 21, 2026
There are two drinks that are inseparable from many people’s daily lives: coffee and sweet tea.
Mornings feel incomplete without coffee. When you crave something refreshing during the day, sweet tea becomes the go-to.
When evening comes, a glass of sweet beverage returns to accompany work or leisure time.
Actually, enjoying coffee or tea isn’t something to avoid. Coffee and tea without excessive added sugar can even be part of a healthy diet.
What’s important to be wary of is the habit of adding too much sugar or choosing sweet drinks too often throughout the day.
If you’re trying to cut back on sugar or simply want a more varied choice, there are many other drinks to try.
They don’t have to be expensive, they don’t have to be difficult to make, and they don’t have to feel like you’re on a strict health program.
Water Remains the Main Choice
Before discussing other drinks, there’s one option that’s actually the simplest: water.
The body needs water to maintain fluid balance and support various bodily functions. Therefore, water remains the primary choice for meeting daily fluid needs.
The problem is, some people find water too “plain.” Finally, every time you want a drink, you’re looking for something sweet.
If you’re feeling the same way, there’s no harm in making your water taste a little more interesting. Add slices of lemon, lime, cucumber, mint leaves, or some pieces of fruit to your water.
It’s simple, but it can be a small change that can help you cut back on sugary drinks.
Infused Water Can Be a Refreshing Alternative
Infused water is also quite easy to make at home.
The method isn’t complicated. You just need to add pieces of fruit or fresh ingredients like lemon, orange, cucumber, strawberries, or mint leaves to the water, then let it sit in the refrigerator for a while.
This drink can be a great option when you want something more flavorful than plain water but don’t want to add a lot of sugar.
Interestingly, you can also create combinations to suit your taste. For example, lemon and mint for a fresher taste or cucumber and orange for a lighter sensation.
Tea Doesn’t Have to Be Sweet
If you really like tea, there’s no need to give it up.
Try gradually reducing the sugar. If you normally use two spoons of sugar, you can gradually reduce it until your taste buds get used to the more natural taste of tea.
Besides black tea, you can also try green tea, jasmine tea, chamomile tea, or various herbal teas.
Tea without added sugar is a relatively low-calorie beverage option. However, be mindful of the type of tea and the additives used, as packaged teas or teas with syrup can be quite high in sugar.
Coconut Water Can Be an Occasional Choice
Coconut water can also be a refreshing beverage option, especially when you’re craving something different.
However, this doesn’t mean more is better. Coconut water still contains natural sugars and calories, so you still need to be mindful of your portion size.
For everyday needs, plain water remains the main choice. Meanwhile, coconut water can be a variation when you want to enjoy a drink with a more natural flavor.
What You Need to Pay Attention to Are Sweetened Drinks
Sometimes the problem isn’t that someone lacks healthy beverage options, but that sweetened drinks have become a habit.
Coffee with milk and syrup, sweet tea, soda, bottled drinks, energy drinks, and various other trendy beverages may seem like small choices. However, if consumed multiple times a day, the sugar and calorie content can add up.
The WHO recommends limiting free sugar consumption to less than 10% of total daily energy. The WHO also specifically recommends limiting high-sugar beverages.
The CDC also recommends replacing sweetened beverages with water or sugar-free options as one way to reduce sugar intake.
Therefore, you don’t have to stop drinking sweetened beverages altogether. Start by paying attention to how often you consume them.
What If You Want a Drink That’s Also Nutritious?
This is often the challenging part.
Water is important for hydration, but it doesn’t provide protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Meanwhile, sweetened drinks may taste good, but they don’t always provide the nutritional value that their sugar content equates to. Between these two options, there’s room for a more practical drink with more complete nutritional content.
Especially if you have a busy schedule and don’t always have time to prepare your own food or drinks.
Maquira Essentials Shake™: A Practical Choice for Your Daily Routine
If you’re looking for a drink that’s more than just a thirst-quencher, Maquira Essentials Shake™ could be an attractive option to complement your daily routine.
Essentials Shake™ is formulated with plant-based protein, dietary fiber, essential vitamins and minerals, probiotics, phytonutrient-rich greens, and Maqui Berry, a source of anthocyanins.
This combination sets it apart from ordinary drinks. The focus isn’t just on flavor, but also on being part of your daily nutritional intake.
Enjoying it is also quite simple. One serving can be mixed with 8–12 oz of cold water, milk, a smoothie, or your choice of beverage. Then, simply shake or blend until thoroughly combined.
There are Rich Chocolate and Smooth Vanilla options, so you can still enjoy a delicious beverage without always having to resort to coffee with milk or sweet tea.
Essentials Shake™ also contains around 130-140 calories per serving, so it can be tailored to your needs and diet.
This product can be a convenient breakfast option, after activities, or as part of your routine when you need an easy-to-prepare nutritious option.
Of course, this doesn’t mean one drink can replace all your food needs. A diverse diet remains the foundation.
Fruits, vegetables, protein sources, whole grains, and other nutritious foods still need to be part of your daily menu.
However, when busy lives require something convenient, having nutritious drink options at home can make maintaining healthy habits a little easier.
No Need to Stop Drinking Coffee Immediately
Ultimately, choosing healthy drinks doesn’t mean you have to banish coffee or tea from your daily life.
If you love coffee, enjoy it. Just be mindful of the added sugar, syrup, creamer, or toppings you use.
The same goes for tea. If you’ve been drinking sweet tea for a while, you can start reducing the amount of sugar slowly.
The important thing is to have choices.
Today you want water? Go ahead.
Tomorrow you want tea without sugar? You can.
After your workout, want a different drink? You have other options.
When you’re in a rush in the morning and need something convenient? A nutritious drink like the Essentials Shake™ can be an easy-to-prepare alternative.
Healthy habits don’t always start with major changes. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of paying attention to what you drink each day.
So, if coffee and sweet tea have been your go-to drinks, maybe it’s time to give other options a try. Not to replace them entirely, but to diversify and balance your daily routine.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult your health condition with a doctor or nutritionist.