Are liquid calories tipping you over the edge?

WEED OUT calorie containing drinks
How much of your calorie intake is contained in liquid-form?

If you’re looking for a simple way to reduce your calorie intake- then strongly consider 'weeding out' calorie containing drinks. Not only will this help you maintain a healthy weight but it will also save you money too!

It is predicted that the average person consumes approximately 20 percent of their total caloric intake in the form of beverages – this includes juice, smoothies, soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, alcohol and coffee. For instance, if you are currently consuming approximately 1500-2000 calories per day it is possible that you are getting between 300-400 calories from beverages alone. So imagine the weight you could lose if you changed tactic and consumed only water or green tea...

Juice: Many people have the misconception that fruit juice is healthy because it’s derived from fruit. Unfortunately juice is high in sugar and calories and contains little of the nutrition you get from consuming the whole fruit. By eating an apple you will consume only one third of the calories of the same portion of apple juice – and you will feel fuller. Furthermore, by eating the whole fruit your body also gets the chance to digest the fibre, vitamins and antioxidants it contains – all properties that are more or less eliminated during the commercial juicing process.

Alcohol: Most of us drink it without considering the added calories that are contained within. One 375ml bottle of beer contains around 280 calories, and one standard glass of wine contains 100 calories. A rum and coke will provide about 300 calories. So by dropping that one glass of wine with dinner each night you are immediately reducing your weeks caloric intake by 700 calories – wow

Coffee: There is considerable confusion over the caloric content of coffee. Not all coffee drinks are high in calories. Coffee - without additives - is almost a zero-calorie drink. According to the USDA nutrient database - an 8 ounce cup of coffee (brewed from grounds) has just 2 (yes two) calories. The calories come from a tiny amount of protein and some mono-unsaturated oils.

So: coffee beans + water = virtually calorie-free?!

Yes, but It's what you add to the coffee that really matters. Products containing caffeine are traditionally bitter in taste - so to sweeten them up - we often add milk, sugar, chocolate or syrups.

Perhaps you need to drop the sugar (48 calories per teaspoon!!), change to a black coffee or low-fat milk option.

Water: is the only drink that can guarantee zero calories. It will keep you hydrated, regulate your body’s thermostat, keeps your bowel functioning effectively, flushes out nasty toxins, enhances your metabolism, and improves overall organ function. Furthermore, all the new cells your body produces daily use the fluids you put into your body to create the basis of those cells. You may want to think about what chemicals or other nasties that are contained in the everyday beverages you drink and therefore what is forming the foundation of your body’s cells.

My Tip:

When it comes to getting leaner, there isn’t a more simple tip than to cut out the calories you are consuming from beverages. This doesn’t mean cutting them out altogether. Over the next week write down everything you have to drink. Review it and make a plan for what drinks you can 'weed out' to help you reduce your calorie intake . If you are currently drinking three or four drinks a day that contain calories, try cutting out two or three of these – every little bit will make a difference. Remember to replace calorie-containing drinks with water. Small changes can really make a difference- commit to it for at least a month and assess the change to your energy levels and waistline.