It’s easy to abandon healthy habits during the holiday season. Cold weather can be a deterrent from taking walks and getting outside, which may make you feel more sluggish. Your calendar might be full of holiday obligations, making it more difficult to make time for your own health.

That’s why wellness drinks can help. By adding a few new recipes to your holiday repertoire, you can keep yourself on track. Fresh juice makes it easy to keep up with your intake of fruits and vegetables, even during the holiday season. Plus, the colors can be festive. Red, green, and gold-colored juices will look great on your table and help celebrate the season in style.

Along with juice, plant-based milks can also help you maintain your energy with healthy fats and seasonal spices that will keep you feeling cozy and calm. Nuts can help promote blood sugar control and are a great source of vitamin E, which acts like an antioxidant in the body helping prevent or slow cell damage. Hemp seeds make delicious milk and contain almost as much protein as soybeans along with being a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Turmeric is the bright yellow spice that makes golden milk and contains curcumin, which is known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.

Wellness Shots and Juices to Keep You Festive and Fresh

IMMUNE BUILDER

Feeling run-down and want to stave off the sniffles? Citrus fruits can help in supporting immunity. Grapefruit in particular is a great source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, which help boost your body's defenses. Studies show that consistent intake of vitamin C helps your immune system function at its peak performance. Plus, grapefruit has a compound called nootkatone, which activates AMPK for energy production and helps fight fatigue. Herbs and spices are also great immunity-builders. Rosemary is a powerful herb full of phytochemicals including rosmarinic acid and caffeic acid, which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is full of an active compound caller curcumin which helps fight infection and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Refreshing Rosemary Citrus

Immune Builder Shots

ENERGY LIFT

Feeling low energy or need some extra motivation for a morning workout? Beets are a wonderful addition to your diet this time of year, as they are an energizing, starchy carbohydrate that packs a powerhouse of nutrients to help replenish and restore the body. They are a rich source of inorganic nitrate, which supports improvement in athletic performance especially recovery. Meanwhile, pomegranates act as a soothing support for the nervous system thanks to their anti-inflammatory healthy fats. Greens are always a big energy boost, and kale in particular contains an amino acid called L-tyrosine, which can help increase energy levels.

Beet Blitz

Herbal Energy Boost

HANGOVER HELPER

Had a little too much fun at the holiday office party? Alcohol is a diuretic, which means it makes your kidneys flush out more water and salt than usual. When you wake up with a hangover, you’re most likely feeling dehydrated, and one of the best ways to start feeling better is to nourish your body with juice, which offers both a quick dose of carbohydrates and much-needed minerals and hydration. Fresh pineapple juice is rich in many minerals like manganese and copper, along with vitamins B6 and C. Additionally, capsaicin, which is naturally found in all chili peppers including jalapeños, can trigger endorphins that create a mood boost. Chilis also help stimulate circulation and activate pain-relieving endorphins that may help a headache. Coconut water is also an excellent hydrator thanks to the quick burst of electrolytes it offers.

Spicy Green Garland

Hydrating Zing

DIGESTIVE AID

Is your tummy in need of some taming? If you accidentally ate too many cookies at a holiday gathering or indulged in foods that are richer than what you normally consume, apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help. This natural remedy contains an active compound called acetic acid, which can help slow the digestion of carbohydrates and ease stomach pain. ACV that contains a “mother” is also a good source of probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that contribute to a healthier gut microbiome. Mixing ACV with apple juice offers soluble fiber, which absorbs water like a sponge and acts as a prebiotic to support digestive health. Don’t underestimate the importance of greens for digestive relief. Microgreens can have a bitter flavor that helps activate digestive juices, while kiwi contains actinidin, an enzyme that can improve the breakdown and digestion of proteins, according to research.

Cozy Ginger Apple

Nourishing Little Green

STRESS RELIEF

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list this month? Adaptogens are natural substances like herbs and mushrooms that help your body cope with stress, fatigue, and more. They are a wonderful addition this time of year to help tamper down the holiday stress that comes with a busy schedule. These plants can help boost your stamina, restore balance to the body, and support metabolic function. For example, research shows that reishi mushrooms are high in antioxidants, have antibacterial and antiviral effects, and help regulate blood glucose levels. One study of ashwagandha found that a daily dose helped significantly lower stress levels. Adaptogens work best when combined with other healthy lifestyle habits such as mindfulness practices and movement.

Golden Moon Milk

FIGHT BRAIN FOG

Feeling foggy? Seasonal fatigue and winter brain fog are part of seasonal affective disorder, which includes feeling sluggish throughout the day or having trouble concentrating. Matcha has an amino acid called L-theanine that can help boost your ability to focus. As a bonus, it also helps elevate your levels of GABA, dopamine, and serotonin, which help you feel more relaxed. So matcha gives you both an edge when it comes to focus, while helping reduce anxiety and tension. Meanwhile, macadamia nuts contain a significant amount of a type of vitamin E known as tocotrienols, which have brain-protecting effects.

Matcha Morning Milk

HEALTHY INDULGENCES

When you’re craving something sweet this season, try one of these two incredible plant-based milks. One is for chocolate lovers who want a little heat, while the other will take you on a floral journey reminiscent of Middle Eastern desserts. Did you know that the idea of gaining excessive weight during the holidays is actually a myth? Most people only gain about one pound, according to this study. Sticking with a whole foods diet with plenty of fresh foods while enjoying the occasional indulgence is a great way to maintain your health throughout the holidays.

Spiced Cacao Milk

Pink Rose Almond Milk