Insider’s Viewpoint: Invigorate Your Water!

Water. We all need it. Many people won’t deny the fact that plain water is the best beverage to drink. However, they say they don’t like the taste of water – it’s too bland and tasteless –. and instead, resort to beverages with added sweeteners that offer little to no nutritional value.

Tired of plain water? Here’s a fun and refreshing solution to jazz it up: add fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Fill a pitcher with water and ice, add desired ingredients and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let flavors infuse. The sky is the limit when it comes to flavors. Below are some examples of favorite combinations. All are high in flavor, have virtually no calories, and offer some nutrition – more if you eat the fruit!

8 Ways to Flavor Your Water

Strawberry and Basil
Cut and chop strawberries and fresh basil leaves. Start with fewer leaves and add more until desired taste is achieved.

Raspberry and Pineapple
Cut up a fresh pineapple and wash fresh raspberries. Add fruit to desired taste.

Lime Slices and Basil
Slice limes and cut up basil. It’s like a mojito without the sugar and alcohol!

Sage and Blackberry
Wash the fresh blackberries and sage leaves. Blackberries are loaded with antioxidants.

Minty Cucumber Lime
Slice cucumbers and fresh lime. Wash fresh mint leaves.

Pineapple Orange with Ginger
Cube fresh pineapple, slice orange, and grate fresh ginger.

Rosemary Watermelon
Chunk watermelon and scrunch rosemary sprigs to release flavor.

Apples and Cinnamon
Combine cinnamon sticks and chopped apples.

Mary Jo Brunner, MS RD CD
Dietitian
Family Fresh Market/SpartanNash