Beverages and Weight Loss
June 11, 2009
While on a diet we are very particular about the kind of food we eat, but we hardly pay heed to the kind of drinks/beverages we consume. On an average we consume one-fifth of our daily calories as drinks. Like the food we eat, if we select the right beverages, they help us in: increasing our metabolic rate, curbing appetite, and of course reducing our calorie intake leading to weight loss.
Drinks to Avoid:
Soda/Aerated Drinks:
Sodas are nothing but a store house of empty calories. One can opt for diet/sugar free substitutes, but this does not necessarily adds up to weight loss.
Energy/Sport drinks:
Sports drinks provide nutrients but they contain high amount of calories. People aiming at weight reduction should replace energy drinks with water or natural juices.
Fancy Coffees:
If you add cream, syrups etc. to a healthy black coffee its effects are reverse, as they become a storehouse of calories, sugar and fat. If you don’t like black coffee add skim-milk and artificial sweetener to keep the calories away.
Wine Coolers:
A 12-ounce wine cooler may have 190 calories and 22 grams of carbohydrates, regular wine also has close to 100 calories in a 5-ounce glass. If you want to have wine go in for wine spritzers where sparkling water is mixed with a dash of wine.
Cocktails:
A shot of plain liquor has less calories than wine or wine coolers, that is before you mix soda or cream. For a low fat option you can choose diet soda.
Drinks that help weight-loss:
Water:
One of nature’s best gifts to mankind is water. If we replace our daily intake of carbonated drinks with water, it not only cuts down the hundreds of calories we consume daily, but has several other benefits. If water is consumed before a meal or during hunger-pangs it results in curbing our hunger, with zero calories. Water also helps increase our metabolism.
Vegetable Juice:
Vegetable juice are completely natural and do not contain high calories. Vegetable juices that contain pulp are good source of fibre, which curbs hunger.
Low fat milk:
Calcium obviously is very good for your body and milk is one of the best form to consume calcium in. The problem with milk is the calories and high fat content. Low fat or skim milk/milk products are the best bet, this helps in reducing the calories and providing the benefits of calcium.
Black Coffee:
Black coffee is calorie free and a rich source of anti-oxidants which works wonders. For best results one should have a shot of black coffee instead of soda and energy drinks. Consuming 3-4 cups of coffee in a day keeps your mood and concentration in place. Coffee also reduces the risk of type-2 diabetes and cancer.
Green Tea:
Green tea works wonders as it is calorie free and it’s extracts stimulate weight loss through the action of phytochemicals (natural compounds that temporarily help body burn more calories and melt fat). The benefits of green tea lasts for a couple of hours, so it would be best to consume it twice a day.
Drinks which can be consumed but be cautious:
Ready-made fruit juices:
Juices: Juices can contain as many calories as a carbonated drink. . . Shocked??? Well this is a fact, but juices definitely offer you more nutrients than other carbonated drinks. The safest bet is to opt for 100% juices and avoid all confusion. Juices with added sweeteners should be a total no. The best option is to mix water with a small quantity of your favourite juice before consuming.
Smoothies: Whatever flavour you choose, strawberry, banana or blueberries. Smoothies are delicious and contain the much needed vitamins and minerals. Best option is to make this yum drinks at home with low fat milk and fresh fruits. While ordering a smoothie in restaurants be sure they don’t contain ice-cream, artificial sweeteners, honey etc. which result in sky-rocketing the calorie level.
Light Beer: If you really need to consume alcohol light beer is the best option possible. A serving of light beer has 100 calories, compared to 150 calories for regular beer.
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