4 Ways to Pick Atkins Diet Beverages

1. Go for the Basic Drinks

Basic drinks that are compatible with an Atkins diet include coffee, teas and water. If you're dieting, you probably should make the switch to water. Water fills up your stomach, making you eat less. It also helps flush toxins from the body and keeps us feeling healthy and alert. If you can't handle straight water, try spring water or mineral water with carbonation. Coffee is a popular caffeinated choice. On the Atkins diet, keep your coffee black and gourmet flavored coffee drinks are definitely out. Tea is enjoying a new revival as we learn the health benefits of certain varieties, especially green tea. Green tea has plenty of antioxidants that are believed to boost the immune system and fight free radicals. Like coffee, drink teas straight without adding sugar to them. The Atkins diet does recommend decreasing caffeine intake, especially during the first phase, since caffeine can cause a drop in blood sugar and make you want to eat.

2. Add Splenda to Your Drinks

If you really can't handle drinking coffee or tea without a sweetener, try adding Splenda. Splenda is a sugar derivative that's compatible with the Atkins diet. It has no calories, doesn't drop blood sugar like regular sugar can, and actually tastes like sugar. You can add Splenda to foods and baked items. In addition, many products now add Splenda to their ingredient list.

3. Try an Atkins Ready to Drink Shake

If you're trying to pick an Atkins friendly beverage try, an Atkins shake. These shakes are milkshakes designed to replace a meal. They are ready to drink--just chill and open. These are great for people who want to be on the Atkins diet, but don't have time to cook or even purchase an Atkins meal, and come in lots of different flavors.

4. Avoid Sugary Drinks

Unfortunately, on Atkins, there are many drinks you need to avoid. These include anything with juice, that has juice as a base, or anything sweetened with sugar, such as non-diet soft drinks. Alcohol is also not allowed during the first phase of the Atkins diet. After you're done with the first phase, you can start drinking hard alcohol such as scotch and vodka. Avoid alcohol made from sugar such as rum. You can drink low calorie beers since they usually have less carbohydrates.