Sip and Savor: 5 Nourishing Fall Drinks to Embrace the Season

Written by: Claudia Haller NBC-HWC

Fall is known for its festive drinks. It seems like you can get “pumpkin spice” just about anything these days! After that comes winter, when we’ll be overwhelmed with sugar plum, warm vanilla, and caramel brulée flavored everything as well! As much as we all fantasize about our favorite fall drinks keeping us warm in the cold, they can contain crazy amounts of added sugar and calories. We don’t need more of that.

​So, let's enjoy the crispness of autumn in a new way this year. Believe it or not, you can make something warm to cozy up with this fall and stay on track with your health goals. Each one of the following five options will give you the warm fuzzies with zero guilt -- and they're even beneficial for your health! Let’s dive in.

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 and you'll have a tasty and healthy drink to enjoy all autumn long. This beverage is known to promote weight loss, but more importantly, it will give both your digestion and your metabolism a boost. Adding a pinch of both coarse sea salt and raw honey creates a lovely and unique fall flavor you just have to try.

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 without feeling guilty. If you're not making your own apple cider, just be sure to avoid any brands that add lots of sugar. Once you find a natural apple cider, you’ll be getting plenty of vitamin C and pectin. Even the cinnamon stick has health benefits! This ingredient can help blood sugar control and encourage proper digestion -- something that can be useful for 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 ginger tea. Strain out the ginger, and you've got the perfect warm drink to improve digestion, encourage bone health, and even relieve coughing. While I enjoy the taste of fresh ginger, my family has made me well aware that not everybody does. If you need a dash of 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 pumpkin spice latte. Yet it's not exactly a healthy option, even if pumpkin itself is good for you. At home, you can make a healthy version of this drink in a flash. Simply add some pumpkin pie spice to your coffee grounds before brewing. Then, add a healthier dairy alternative such as almond milk to get that creamy and rich feeling. Not only is making this drink at home healthier, but you’d be surprised by how much money you save when Starbucks isn’t taking a cut of your check this season. It’s time for you to make your own favorite fall drink; it’s delicious - I assure you!

5. Low-Cal Hot Chocolate
Some may think that fall is too early to be sipping on hot chocolate, but I would argue that it can always make for a cozy dessert! If you’re in need of a quick cup of cocoa, the easiest way to make a healthier hot chocolate would be by heating up a glass of chocolate almond milk. If you'd prefer a more indulgent affair, heat lowfat milk and then stir in a tablespoon of unsweetened raw cacao powder. This more natural version of hot chocolate will provide you with that same warm, chocolatey feeling from head to toe.

For more suggestions of hot drinks that heal, check out this article by Health Central here: https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/hot-drinks-that-heal 

I personally love the fall. It’s a season of transition and tradition; of cooling down and cozying up. Fall would be incomplete without the warm drinks that our culture uses to define the season. This year, I encourage you to take the opportunity to try out some of the healthier alternatives in order to maintain your health goals throughout the season. I promise your body and bank account will thank you!

For many of us, fall can feel like a new beginning. If you are interested in refocusing on your resolutions for the rest of this year check this out. 

Claudia is an NBC-HWC Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach, the owner of Vibrant Health by Claudia LLC  and Virtual Health Coaches LLC. She studied health and wellness coaching at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where she also completed courses in Gut Health, Hormone Health, and Advanced Coaching. She is a certified 21-Day Sugar Detox Coach as well as a co-author of two Amazon Bestsellers “The Ultimate Guide to creating your soul aligned Business” and “The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a successful soul professional”.

To schedule a time for a free information call click here or join her Vibrant Health Power Community - a free Facebook Group - here.
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