by Catherine L. Tully

Dancing means sweating, and sweating means thirst. Us dancers tend to be a thirsty bunch, but ingesting extra calories from what we drink is something most of us would like to avoid. And while there’s nothing wrong with the occasional milkshake or cranberry juice, reaching for low or no-calorie drinks is usually a pretty good idea.

I’ve compiled a short list of my favorites here for you to check out, but please do feel free to share yours in the comments section below!

My go-to favorite is LaCroix sparkling water. I love the orange flavor, but there are many other varieties you can try, including lime, coconut, berry and lemon. This tasty drink isn’t sweet, but has some flavor (and it’s natural!). Drink from the can or over ice for a delicious drink option that has zero calories.

It’s also yummy when mixed with fruit juices, but that does add some calories to the mix.

Cucumber water is another favorite of mine. Simple to make and refreshing to drink, this no-calorie winner is one of the best picks for a cool drink on a hot day. Its silky texture is unique and you can add lemon or other fruit to the water to mix the taste up a bit.

Here’s a primer on how to make it (not like it’s that hard). Simply store it in your fridge and pour when you want some. Easy! It’s also extremely inexpensive since cucumbers cost next to nothing at the grocery store.

Herbal teas offer another no-calorie option for those looking for a flavorful beverage. I’ve recently gotten into Teavana tea, since they offer really cool combinations, such as the strawberry lemonade flavor pictured here. You can brew them hot in the winter and make iced tea in the summer. Win/win!

Of course, standard bag varieties are also a great choice. Another one I drink often is Bengal Spice, which has a little bit of a kick to it. The “spice” comes from a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves. Nice!

What are your favorite drinks? Let us know!