Cut back on sugary drinks

According to research, those who consume one or more sugary beverages per day have a 26% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who consume one or fewer sugary beverages per month. It was also shown that people who consumed fewer sugary beverages tended to weigh less.

Sugary drinks, such as sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, sweetened teas, and others, account for the majority of added sugars in the American diet. Furthermore, drinks that many people consider to be healthy, such as smoothies and fruit juices, can still have a lot of sugar added to them. One cup (271 grams) of cranberry juice cocktail, for example, has almost 7 teaspoons of sugar (31 grams). Drink calories are quickly absorbed, leading to a fast rise in blood sugar levels. Here are some healthier beverage options that are naturally low in sugar: water, unsweetened sparkling water, herbal teas, black or green tea and coffee.