Life is too short not to be fully "turned on." The Daily Turn On! energizes all aspects of "you." Every Monday The Daily Turn On! with That's Fit Life Fit expert Laura Lewis will provide you with ideas and tips to awaken your mind, your body and your life as you journey through each day of the week! Check in each Monday to get your tip for Turning On every day of your life.

I've never been a big soda drinker. Thank goodness my Mother wasn't one of those that would buy cases of the stuff although we did have "Tang" (Anyone remember the instant sweet orange beverage that supposedly astronauts drank? I loved it) yet it was a treat and not something we drank daily. Water was our beverage of choice. It is for my kids as well. And boy would I love to see more people dropping diet sodas and getting on the water band wagon!

Water is essential for optimal health. When you are well hydrated your memory is better, you have more energy, asthma and allergy symptoms may be lessoned, your joints are not as stiff, you metabolize nutrients more efficiently, you'll have less fatty deposits, better digestion and less constipation... just to name a few of the benefits! Soda is a poor substitute for water. Plus, it will make you fat. Even diet soda. This week, I want you to "turn on" your desire for healthy substitutes for the bone leeching, fat causing, chemical beverage YOU call soda. Are there great alternatives? You bet! Read on...

• Try mineral water with "gas" and add a splash of natural juice such as pure cranberry. Add a few drops of stevia and you have a tasty and refreshing sweet beverage that doesn't elevate your blood sugar to ghastly levels. So you know folks, your 12 oz can of sweet soda contains anywhere from 9 to 11 teaspoons of sugar. Why is that bad? Ingesting sugar in this liquid candy state wreaks havoc on your blood sugar. So? Well, as your blood sugar goes from low to a high "spike" your body has to deal with it quickly by sending out insulin. Lots of it. Elevated levels of insulin will cause your body to store more calories as fat. PLUS extra empty calories from sodas does nothing except give you...sugar calories, devoid of all nutrients.
  
• Traditional Diet sodas are a "no go" on my list too. Why? Studies show those who drink at least one diet soda per day ended up gaining weight due to metabolic syndrome. Aspartame (Equal) and Sucralose (Splenda) are both toxic sweeteners, at least in my book. Aspartame is known to interfere with neurological functions and many claim can cause vision disorders, headaches, dizziness and more serious conditions. Sucralose is correlated to digestive disorders (and more!) due to toxic chlorine being involved in its creation in the laboratory. Being a fan of the natural sweetener, stevia, that is derived from a plant typically found in South America, I was thrilled to find this natural soda called "Zevia". Zero calories and chemical free and here's the cool part. Stevia has ZERO glycemic impact. Insulin won't surge to high levels, which in turn, negates the "store more fat" action! Gotta love that!
• Here's an article on SheKnows.com on four healthy alternatives to diet soda. I haven't tried all of them yet they seem healthy!
• Word has it Coke is making a diet version with Stevia. It's already being sold in Japan. Interesting. But manufacturers could make it even better if they removed artificial colorings and other harmful chemicals. If they did, would it still be "Coke"? Since stevia has no gylcemic impact I would say it's a step in the right direction in getting our very fat nation back to being on the lean side.

So, if you are frustrated that you can't lose weight, give up your chemically laced sodas. Try natural alternatives on occasion. The best trick? Drink plenty of water! You'll see a world of difference in how you feel. And in how your clothes fit too! For the better! No doubt in my mind.