I’ll preface this blog/article by saying, it’s summer now…and the temptation of a “sweet” cold drink is there. Check it!

You work hard to keep yourself in shape. You eat right, exercise and steer clear of unwise lifestyle choices. Still, you just can’t resist at least one sugary/sweet drink a day. After all, a single can of soda pop won’t hurt you, right?

This is not necessarily so. According to a study in Diabetes Care, that once-a-day habit might come back to bite you in the end. Researchers found that people who down one or two sugar drinks a day can increase their likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes by as much as 25 percent. The average person faces a 1 in 10 risk of developing this potentially devastating disease. Sugary drink lovers fall in with a 1 in 8 rate.
Since sugary drinks, such as soda, sugared waters, energy drinks and even sweet tea, have already been linked to weight gain, it’s a good idea to kick this habit if you can. Getting off the soda doesn’t necessary have to be as difficult as it might sound either. There are some great tips that can help you curb your cravings for a little pick-me-up in a can.
They include:
• Get your sweets elsewhere – If you just have to have some sweets to make it through the day, put the can of soda back in the fridge and pick up some fruit instead. Grapes, citrus fruit or even a banana can provide you the pick-me-up you need in a much healthier package.
• Enjoy a better source of caffeine – Should you find yourself reaching for sodas or sweet tea not because of the sugar, but the caffeine, switch your drink of choice. Go with coffee, no sugar, in the morning. Try drinking your tea unsweetened with some lemon instead.
• Seek out some support – If you’re used to reaching for a sports drink after working out or that can of soda calls your name after a hard day at work, you might need some help to kick the habit. Enlist your family, friends and even your trainer to provide some moral support. Chances are they’ll be more than happy to pitch in and help you stick with healthier, smarter alternatives.

Kicking a sweet drink habit isn’t necessarily easy, but giving up that daily can of soda can help you prevent type 2 diabetes. Eating healthy whole foods, exercising and making smart lifestyle choices can also help. Work with your trainer or hit the local gym for more ideas on keeping this serious disease at bay.