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Beverages

We get a substantial number of calories from the beverages we drink. The calorie content of beverages can vary widely and may contribute to weight gain.
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Sugar-Sweetened Drinks

Many sugar-sweetened drinks are high in calories and low in other nutrients.

Sweeteners - Sugar Substitutes

Non-caloric sweeteners are chemically made or processed and provide sweetness to foods and drinks without adding any extra calories. Replacing added sugars with non-caloric sweeteners may reduce calorie intake in the short-term, yet questions remain about their effectiveness as a weight management strategy.

Water

Good hydration is linked to healthy aging. 

Milk

Intake of dairy products is especially important to bone health during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is being built. To learn more about the importance of calcium-rich beverages, visit the “Milk Matters" website (NICHD).

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can be beneficial or harmful, depending on how much you drink, your age, and your health status. Learn more about the impact of alcohol on your health by visiting the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism research-based website. 

Calculators

Water is often an overlooked beverage but certainly one to encourage children and adults to consume.  It contains no calories, it is free, and it is generally a widely available choice.  Go “green” and carry water with you in a reusable bottle. Plain drinking water is available free of charge in all NIH cafes. Just ask if you do not see a dispenser.

To make plain water a bit more exciting, add a slice of lemon, lime, cucumber or watermelon, or try sparkling water.

The amount of water each of us needs depends on a variety of factors, including our level of physical activity or exposure to heat stress.  Generally, the combination of thirst and typical behaviors, such as drinking beverages with meals, provides suff​​icient total water intake. Total water intake includes water from fluids (drinking water and other beverages) and the water that is contained in foods.​

​Intake of milk and fortified soy beverages is linked to improved bone health. Nutrients provided by these beverages (such as calcium, potassium, vitamin D, and protein) play an in important role in the health and maintenance of your body.

 Intake of dairy products is especially important to bone health during childhood and adolescence when bone mass is being built. To learn more about the importance of calcium-rich beverages, visit the NICHD “Milk Matters" website.

 When drinking milk, aim for fat-free or low-fat (1%) choices since they are lower in saturated fat. Diets high in saturated fats can raise your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol levels in the blood, which is a risk factor for heart disease.