Diary / Justbobbi / Sep 26, 2022

Healthy Drink Recipes for Dry January

Written by: Danielle Capalino

Are you taking a break from the bubbles and doing a dry January? We’ve got your back. Below Danielle Capalino, author of the new book Healthy Gut, Flat Stomach: Drinks, is sharing three of her go-to recipes for this time of year. (And did we mention they are all part of the low-FODMAP diet?)

Having a dry January doesn’t mean you can't enjoy your usual brunch routine. Swap out the booze for some carrot juice! If you can make your own tomato juice even better because store-bought versions usually contain loads of salt. Making your own can be as easy as putting tomatoes in a blender. I love this drink because fruit juices are usually so sweet, but the tomato juice balances it out with a more savory flavor. You can get as fancy as you like with the garnish - celery, parsley, or a shrimp cocktail anyone?

Sweet Mary

SERVES 1

  • 1 medium tomato or 1/2 cup tomato juice

  • 3 carrots or 1/2 cup carrot juice

  • 1/4 celery stalk

  • Parsley, to garnish (optional)

  • 1/4 lemon

Wash and pat dry all the ingredients. Peel or cut the skin off the lemon. Place all the ingredients in a juicer. Pour the juice through a strainer and garnish with parsley, if desired.

We have all heard about drinking hot water and lemon to start the day, and that can be great. But if you want to take it to the next level, add gut health boosting ginger, and maybe a dash of maple syrup. I love this drink because it is super simple to make but really makes you feel like you are having a treat. You will be calming your mood and your gut at the same time. It is the perfect way to begin or end a cold day.

Hot Lemon Belly Aid

SERVES 1

  • 1 cup water

  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

  • 2 slices fresh ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ginger juice

  • Pure maple syrup(optional)

  • Mint, to garnish (optional)

Boil the water in a small saucepan, add the lemon juice and ginger, and maple syrup, if using. If using sliced ginger, let steep for several minutes and then remove before drinking. Garnish with mint if desired.

Yes, you can make your own anti-inflammatory sugarless soda at home! I love how simple this is, and yet it isn’t lacking in flavor. Turmeric of course we know fights inflammation and tame the gut. Mint is also calming and soothing to the gut. These two herbs make a powerful duo when it comes to delicious healthy gut drinks.

Turmeric Mint

SERVES 1

  • 1 1/2 cups club soda

  • 2 tablespoons mint, crushed

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

Place all the ingredients in a large glass and stir to combine. Serve with ice. Note: If soda water is not tolerated, make this with flat water.

Danielle Capalino, MSPH, RD, is a registered dietitian in New York City, providing nutritional counseling on digestive health. She is the author of Healthy Gut, Flat Stomach (named one of the top 7 wellness books of 2017 by People Magazine) and The Microbiome Diet Plan. She is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.

Diary / Justbobbi / Sep 26, 2022

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