Dietitians agree — cut back on 1 thing for better gut health, energy, and lower risk of cancer

Swapping out sugary drinks for plain water or seltzer has major benefits for your health. parichat wongyai/Getty Images Sugary drinks may be one of the worst kinds of ultra-processed foods for your health, dietitians say. Too much sugar in soda or energy drinks is linked to risks like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Diet sodas may be a helpful alternative, but aren't risk-free, and can mess with gut health. Diet advice is rarely one-size-fits-all. But one particular vice — enjoyed daily by more than half of Americans — has become the bane of health experts. Dietitians really, really want us to step away from the sugary soda . At a recent nutrition conference in Washington, DC, with more than 3,000 professionals, I asked around about what we should all be eating more of.