by Cascade Ice on April 26, 2021
In recent years, many people have started to realize the important health benefits that come with cutting back on sugar in their diets. What’s not commonly known is that sugar is hidden in so many of the foods and beverages that we enjoy every day, and you may not even realize how much you’re consuming. Going over your daily allowance of sugar can have a domino effect in our bodies, leading to many health complications and diseases. Adopting a low-sugar diet can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, improve brain health and mood, decrease inflammation, and help you lose weight.
While small amounts of sugar in your diet won’t necessarily hurt, consuming higher-than-usual amounts can cause your body to store it for later use, leading to fatty liver disease and other conditions. So how can you lower your sugar intake? Pay attention to how much sugar the foods you eat contain – the average person should try to stay under 24 grams of sugar per day. Even making small, healthy swaps, like trading sugary cereal to plain oatmeal with fruit, or switching from soda to a sugar-free sparkling water like Cascade Ice Sparkling Water, can help you stay on track.
Most importantly, what are the key benefits to maintaining a low sugar diet? We’ve got 4 reasons for you to make the leap to a low sugar lifestyle right here!
Building a Healthy Heart
A diet that is low in sugar can help your heart by lowering your blood pressure and raising good cholesterol while inhibiting bad cholesterol. What this means long-term is that lowering your sugar intake can prevent strokes and heart attacks. So, making a low-sugar diet a priority can have big payoffs later in life.
Boosted Energy Levels
Sometimes known as “simple carbs”, sugars can enter your bloodstream very quickly, giving you a boost of energy. However, it’s also metabolized quickly by the body, which means you also “crash” quickly after. And because sugar is often hidden in so many foods we know and love, you likely often feel this rollercoaster of energy all day long. When you cut back on sugar and replace it with foods high in fats and proteins, you’ll have a steady boost of energy that will last longer than sugar could ever provide. So, when you ditch the added sugars, prepare for a healthy dose of energy!
Improvements in mental health
Preliminary studies are showing a link between excess sugar consumption in the American diet and an increase in mental illness and cognitive decline. When you adopt a low-sugar diet, you can expect higher energy levels. And without the highs and lows of the “sugar rush” and inevitable crash throughout your day, feelings of depression and other mental illnesses are not as common as a result.
Healthy, Glowing Skin
Excess sugar has been known to block the repair of your skin’s collagen, the protein present in your skin that makes it appear glowy, plump and youthful. Studies have also shown that too much sugar can reduce elasticity of the skin and cause premature wrinkles. So, stay under your daily allowance of sugar and watch your face transform into healthy, energized skin that makes you feel super confident! (And don’t forget to drink lots of water to help with that too!)
Have you ever tried a low-sugar diet? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on April 9, 2021
Everywhere you look these days, companies are coming up with a new offering for a “hard seltzer.” And for good reason – not only are they delicious, but they are also low in calories and sugar compared to other alcoholic beverages. But you don’t need to buy pre-packaged hard seltzers when you have the right ingredients (like Cascade Ice Sparkling Water) at home!
Here are a few refreshing homemade hard seltzer flavors that you can whip up for your next happy hour with minimal ingredients and saving some money in the process.
Lemon-Lime Mint
When you combine the tartness of lemon and lime with the refreshing taste of mint, you simply can’t go wrong. To whip up a lemon-lime mint flavored hard seltzer, simply muddle a small handful of fresh mint leaves and pour a can of Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Water in Lemon Lime over 1 shot glass of tequila in your preferred glass. Garnish with fresh lime if desired. Make sure your sparkling water is cold – it makes for a crisp, slightly sweet drink on a warm day!
Pink Grapefruit
Reminiscent of the classic Greyhound cocktail, a hard seltzer with pink grapefruit is as delicious (and low calorie as can be!) Combine a can of Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Water in Pink Grapefruit with 1 shot glass of vodka and squeeze some fresh lime juice over the top. Want to get fancy? Add a sprig of fresh rosemary for garnish.
Ginger Orange
This flavor packs a punch that tastes sweet and ever so slightly spicy! Take a can of Cascade Ice USDA Organic Sparkling Water in Ginger Lime, and add 2 shot glasses of champagne and a splash of pulp-free orange juice. Easy as that – and you can dress it up however you’d like with fresh fruit or any type of complimentary garnish.
What’s your favorite type of hard seltzer flavor? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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by Cascade Ice on March 31, 2021
When you work from home, you likely don’t realize how much time you spend sitting. But it’s simple and easy to counteract the negative effects of sitting too long by simply making a few, key changes to your daily lifestyle. If you’re interested in ways to stay more active during your stay-at-home workday, read on for a few key tips.
Stand up
When you sit most of the day while working on your computer, you lose much of the opportunity for your body to burn calories. A stand-up desk can be a game-changer in helping your body stay healthy, increasing your leg strength and endurance while you do it. But if a stand-up desk is simply not a practical option for you, instead, build 5-minute breaks into your day every 1-2 hours for some type of physical activity (think walking the dog, yoga, or meditation). Standing can burn as much as 50 percent more calories than sitting, so give it a try!
Cook at home
As the pandemic starts winding down and more businesses begin opening up, it’s so tempting to frequent restaurants again, and even grab takeout or fast food when it’s more convenient. But cooking at home will not only save you money in the long run – it will also help you stay healthier. Did you know that preparing and cooking your food at home can even burn calories? The best way to control what you eat is to skip the restaurants and plan your meals in advance, using nutritious ingredients made with whole foods. You can also meal prep for the week so you’re prepared to make healthy food choices. Do you get bored of cooking at home? Give yourself little “treats” every so often so that you don’t deprive yourself, and you have something to look forward to during long work days. Cascade Ice Sparkling Water is an awesome choice to treat yourself, with zero calories and no sugar!
Make Screen Time Exercise Time
We all love a good TV series or a scroll on social media. But how can you turn the inevitable daily screen time into something more productive? Try incorporating some small ways to get your heart pumping like jumping jacks, burpees or pushups during commercial breaks. Or, for every 20 minutes on social media, step outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. Build these daily habits into your routine, and it won’t even seem like a chore!
What do you do to keep active and stay healthy while working from home? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
by Cascade Ice on March 26, 2021
A common misconception is that how long you live is determined mostly by genetics. But research shows that there are many daily habits you can adopt that will pave your way to a healthier lifestyle and ultimately help you live longer.
Read on for 5 research-backed tips on how to lengthen your life expectancy.
Eat More Plants
According to recent studies, eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts (similar to the Mediterranean diet) can promote longevity.
Eating these foods regularly can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, depression, and can even keep your brain healthy. Why does a plant-based lifestyle do this? Because of all the vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants found in these foods – they can ward off disease better than any supplement can. Eating lots of plant-based foods can boost your overall health and keep your body performing well, longer.
Stay Active Every Day
It’s no shock that staying physically active can keep your weight down and put you on track to being healthier overall. But did you know it can also add years to your life? Research shows that as few as 15 minutes of exercise each day can help you live longer! And additional studies have shown that the more physical activity, the less likely to die early.
The most important thing is to simply start. If you’re currently sedentary, making small, slow changes such as a short daily walk or a gentle yoga session to elevate your heart rate and keep your blood flowing. 15 minutes each day is the goal, but even small amounts will help, so get moving!
Prioritize your happiness
Mental health is often not prioritized like diet and exercise for most people, but it is incredibly important in prolonging your life. Recent research shows that feelings of happiness can increase your longevity. In fact, happier study participants had a 3.7% decrease in early death.
Identify what it is that brings you feelings of happiness, whether it’s being outside or with friends and family, and make those things a priority daily. They will have positive effects not only on your mood but also your lifespan.
Get some ZZZ’s
The results of sleep studies have long been documented, and prove that getting enough quality sleep is needed for regulating cell function and helping your body recover from environmental stressors. But one study went even further to prove that regular sleep patterns and longevity are directly correlated. The study found that getting less than 5–7 hours per night is linked to a 12 percent greater risk of early death. Getting too little sleep can also put you at risk for some of the biggest chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and obesity.
So how should you establish sleep patterns for a long, healthy life? Start by aiming for 8 hours of sleep per night of uninterrupted sleep, and try going to bed at the same time each night. Also, avoid any distracting things 30 minutes before bed, such as bright lights and electronics.
Stay hydrated
One of the simplest things you can do to make your body run like a well-oiled machine is drink plenty of water. Our bodies are made up mostly of water, so staying hydrated keeps you healthier.
Being hydrated has proven time and again to help your body function its best, as well as ward off sickness, give you energy, and keep your body’s organs working their best. Therefore, studies suggest, you can expect that having a healthier, hydrated body will help add years onto your life. But what if the idea of chugging plain water all day is daunting? Cascade Ice Sparkling Water to the rescue! You can liven up your daily water intake with a little bit of flavor and zero calories or sugar.
What daily, healthy habits do you make to add years onto your life? Tell us in the comments below or share a photo! Remember to “like” and “follow” us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
