Beverages are inevitable in life because our bodies contain up to 90% fluids. However, problems arise when people make the wrong choice of drinks and we have to acknowledge that the most tempting beverages are often unhealthy.
People love drinking, but the tendency is to drink a lot of unhealthy beverages that just contribute to a bigger belly or heavier weight. The most common beverages that should not be taken if you want to maintain your weight include soda, alcohol, coffee and whole milk. Soda is the most fattening of them all because of the excess sugar it contains. Alcohol may not lead to a gaining weight, but it contributes to the development of a beer belly especially if you drink beer most of the time. Whole milk and coffee may be beneficial to some point, but for overweight and obese individuals, drinking these may only add to your weight gain. Coffee may also increase your risk for other conditions associated with obesity such as palpitations.
Drinking healthy beverages that will aid in weight loss is very important. Any unhealthy beverages that you may normally consume should be substituted with the following healthy drinks for weight loss:
Water is the best beverage that you can drink if you are trying to lose weight. It is all-natural and does not contain any fats, sugar or calories. In particular, ice-cold water is best because the body needs to produce energy more to heat the cold water inside the body. Drinking at least 8 glasses of ice-cold water every day will help you burn an extra 200 to 500 calories a day which is equivalent to two snacks. This can allow you to eat your snacks free of guilt.
Fruit juice is another healthy drink that you can have. When taken during mealtimes it provides you with an adequate amount of sugar and also allows you to feel full quickly without even finishing your food. In addition, fruit juices contain essential vitamins for weight loss such as Vitamin D. People who have adequate amounts of vitamin D tend to maintain a flatter stomach. To benefit more from vitamin D, drink orange juice regularly.
Coconut water is one of the most refreshing drinks that you can have, especially during the summer. Coconut water does not contain artificial preservatives, but tastes as sweet as sodas because of the natural sugars. Furthermore, it improves urination to prevent water retention.
Green tea has been overrated as a weight loss beverage, but it is still one of the most effective fat-burning beverages that anyone can drink. Green tea speeds up the metabolism of fat. However, make sure to drink no more than 2 cups of green tea a day to avoid frequent urination that may disrupt your work or any activity. Too much of anything is also bad, so never think to drink 2 gallons of green tea a day.
Just like fruit juices, vegetable juices are also healthy beverages. Vegetable juice provides you with vitamins and minerals. Some people don’t like to eat vegetables, but can drink vegetable juice in an instant.
Protein shakes can be meal replacements to reduce the carbohydrates you consume and they also contain adequate proteins for muscle building; thereby helping you tone your body better.
The next time you grab a drink, make sure that it belongs to the above list. Forget about other carbonated beverages because they just increase your risk for various diseases.
Dr. Amarendra is contributing to www.weightlossdiets4women.com, a site that provides advice and help about diet and fitness matters to women over 35. He recommends discount coupon for Medifast when one buys Medifast, a famous weight loss diet meal.