Summers are here and it is time to grab those hydrating drinks. Give diet soda a miss this summer ans choose some healthy options. Here's is one nutritionist-recommended option you must try!

When trying to eat healthy, it is essential to choose the right drinks as well. Other than water, you consume several other drinks throughout the day, especially during the summer season. To stay fit, it is essential to keep sugar-loaded drink away. Carbonated drinks are loaded with added sugar with zero or less nutrition. Packed juices also contain a good amount of sugar. One of the popular substitutes is diet soda. It is commonly known as a healthy alternate and has gained attention as a weight loss-friendly drink. But it is worth adding to your diet? Let's find out.

Try buttermilk this summer!

Nutritionist Lovneet Batra shares in her recent IGTVs, "When we compare buttermilk and diet soda, buttermilk definitely has more calories. But it is derived from dairy. If it is sourced from the right place buttermilk is extremely nourishing to your body. It is a probiotic which can work wonders for your gut health and it is also a natural source of whey protein. So, don't fall for labels and calorie counting, go for the quality. Choose real foods over chemicals."

Health benefits of buttermilk

1. Buttermilk can help you beat the heat in summers. It can keep your body cool and offer several other health benefits. It will also keep your body hydrated.

2. It is also a popular remedy for acidity. You can add cumin, coriander and a bit of salt to it to enhance the taste.

3. Buttermilk can also keep your bones healthy. It is a source of calcium as well as vitamin D. These two essential nutrients can help in ensuring healthy bones.

4. It is a probiotic that can help boost gut health. Probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.

The nutritionist further stresses on the need to focus on better quality of foods. "We should keep in mind that quality counts. Today, many are stuck with food labels like gluten-free, dairy-free or zero calories. But following these labels will not help you eat healthy. It is essential to choose the right quality for better health. So, be more inquisitive about knowing the source of the food you are eating. Check ingredient labels when buying a product," she adds.

Keep those chemical-loaded foods and drinks away and bring back the natural foods to your diet. Make small changes each day. You can start by replacing those unhealthy processed, sugar-loaded and unhealthy drinks with buttermilk, coconut water or lemon water.