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Most carbonated beverages are pure sugar and a source of empty calories. Diet sodas are okay in moderation, but water is the best choice for quenching thirst and hydrating your body. Both coffee and tea are major contributors of caffeine to our diets. Too much caffeine can cause a drop in blood sugar, leading to hunger and cravings. Flavored coffees and mixes can be a source of hidden sugars. Commercial fruit juices are frequenty concentrates of the fruit's sugar without any of the fiber. You get much more nutritional benefit out of eating a whole fruit. If you need your glass of orange juice in the morning, fresh squeezed is best.

Finally, research suggests that moderate consumption of alcohol reduces risk for heart disease and diabetes. We believe this is best accomplished by drinking red or white wine with meals. Beer is the worst choice because it contains maltose, the sugar with the highest glycemic index.