Nothing is better than cuddling up with a hot fall drink as
the weather cools down. Some trendy favorites include a Pumpkin Spice Latte or Salted
Caramel Mocha from Starbucks, or a classic hot chocolate. (And for a great
accompaniment, add a warm pumpkin scone or freshly baked apple doughnut.) But
while these specialty treats satisfy the stomach (and sweet tooth), they leave
the mind feeling guilty later on.

Ingesting too many sugary foods and drinks often leads to
crashing throughout the day. Is it important to monitor these drinks for a
healthy body and also a healthy mind. It’s okay to enjoy these drinks every so
often, as long as it isn’t a daily occurrence.

If it is seemingly impossible to go a day without a flavored
coffee or hot cocoa, there are a number of ways to “health-ify” these drinks. Substitute
whole milk for skim or soy, and try to avoid the whipped cream. Whipped cream
accounts for about one third of the calories and fat in most gourmet coffee drinks.
To cut back on sugar, try sugar free syrup. There is hardly a taste difference
but contains significantly less calories.

For those who are looking to eliminate high-sugar and
high-calorie drinks, tea is an excellent substitute. Tea is a caffeinated drink
that provides significantly more benefits than coffee does. Green tea in
particular is one of the healthiest drinks for energy and a healthy metabolism.
If need be, tea can be mixed with steamed milk or flavor shots. Though, when
trying to cut calories, keeping these “extras” at a minimum is key.

Tasty treats and mouthwatering drinks are constant
temptations. Tweaking a drink and making a few minor adjustments can easily fix
the nutritional problems with these seasonal snacks. It’s okay to enjoy a sweet
treat every so often, but on a regular basis, these sneaky snacks add up.
Everything can be enjoyed in moderation, and sometimes a little more often with
the right ingredients.