Drink Smarter: review your everyday beverage choices
A beverage review starts with what you actually drink. The Drink Smarter tool helps you notice serving sizes, routines, and questions you want answered. Its printable worksheet gives you space to plan a change without assuming that the same drink or fluid amount suits everyone.
Record the drink and the routine
Choose a typical day. Write down the drinks you usually have and when you reach for them. Include additions and serving size where you know them. You do not need to produce a perfect intake calculation; the first task is to make the routine visible enough to discuss.
Read the information for the actual product
NIDDK advises limiting sugar-sweetened drinks as part of general healthy eating. When reviewing a packaged drink, use its own label rather than guessing from its name or marketing. The worksheet provides space to note the ingredient or serving information that matters to your question. Read the NIDDK guidance.
Personalize the choice
A broad beverage chart cannot account for every medical restriction, medication, intolerance, or preference. Record any instructions you have received about fluids, alcohol, caffeine, or nutrition. Water may be a practical option, but even fluid volume should follow your individual plan when one has been prescribed.
Try one manageable change
Choose a specific situation and write down the option you want to use. Then review whether it was convenient and acceptable to you. If the choice raises questions about symptoms or a health condition, bring the record to your care team. The worksheet is a discussion aid, not a claim that every flavored or artificially sweetened drink has the same effects.
Explore the book and related tools
Companion planning resources for The Non-Seefood Diet.
Plan nutrition and strength questions · Personal food and fluid plan
Follow any prescribed fluid, alcohol, caffeine, or nutrition instructions. This worksheet does not set a universal fluid target. These materials are for general education, not personalized medical advice.
Put the guide into practice
Free printable PDF · 1 page · No email required
Download the printable worksheet (PDF)
Save or print a copy and write your notes in the spaces provided.