BEVERAGES

Let us start with water. Some people advocate drinking only distilled water. If the water of your place of residence is so polluted as to be a danger to health, you may have no option. But this is far from universal. Even large cities have very good drinking water. Inform yourself about the quality of the water at your tap, either by contacting the appropriate authorities, or by having the water analyzed at state laboratories, usually at a nominal cost. Don't tell them where the water comes from, and if they insist say that it is from a well to ensure unbiased results. Then act accordingly. What is good water you can learn by reading the blurb on any natural mineral water bottle. If you drink tap water, you may install a good filter, or as a stop-gag measure simply let the water stand in a jug for half an hour before using or drinking.
Herbal teas, fresh vegetable juices, but not too many fruit juices. Fruit juices have usually too much sugar in nearly readily available form and no fiber. This may quickly raise your blood sugar and the corresponding insulin. It is better to eat the fruit between meals when you also get its fiber, and it helps to moderate your appetite for the next meal. For a breakfast drink, give preference to cereal grain coffee. Real coffee might not have been so bad, were it not for the chemicals used to protect the plant and coffee bean. Some wine with meals is good, particularly red wine, but only one or two glasses daily. "If a little is good, more must be better," does not work very well in nutrition and it may be even perilous.

Alcoholic drinks on a daily basis (except wine); beer, particularly if you have a known background of diabetes or hypoglycemia in the family; pasteurized or sweetened juices; soft drinks loaded with sugar or artificial sweeteners.