Both experts agree that while both pre- and probiotic sodas are much better than traditional sodas, they should not be solely relied on for pre/probiotic consumption. “While it may not be ‘bad’ to drink one of these types of sodas every day, you should be drinking mostly water throughout the day. If you want something with more flavor you can make flavored water using fruits, vegetables, or herbs,” explained O’Meara.
“You can also include something like carbonated water into your diet if you are looking for added carbonation. The American Heart Association recommends a maximum of 25 grams of added sugar a day for women and 36 grams of added sugar a day for men, so if you choose to ‘spend’ your allotted added sugar intake on these sodas, you can, but think about if you actually want these types of sodas or if you prefer to spend your allotted added sugar elsewhere,” she added.
Grasso added that the recommended daily amount of fiber for a woman is 25 grams per day. “It can be found in foods like whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans, and legumes. Not to mention, many of these foods also have extra nutrients in them like vitamins, minerals, and protein,” she said.