Drinking 2-3 litres of water a day is really good for you, both inside and out.
However, that sweet drink may hit the spot but it’s not doing your waistline any favours.
A single can of coca cola contains 140 calories and 39g of sugar.
Now most people are aware that coca cola is this bad, however there are plenty of other drinks on the market which may surprise you. For example
Vitamin Water is 50 calories and 13g of sugar (in water!);
Lemon Iced Tea 200 calories and 46g of sugar;
Minute Maid Orange Juice 16oz bottle contains 220 calories and 48g of sugar.
Fortunately, there are plenty of refreshing sips that you can drink without guilt and they may actually help you lose weight and if you are aiming for a flatter tummy, reduce your bloat as well.
Here are my 5 favourite drinks to quench your thirst without packing on pounds.
Water – flavoured yourself!
Staying hydrated is important when you’re trying to trim down. Research has proven that water helps your body maintain a proper fluid balance, stops water retention (a big cause of bloated bellies), and even increases the feeling of fullness so you eat less overall. My favourite to flavour boring tap water is strawberries, cucumber and mint, or a couple of slices of citrus fruit – I like lemon & lime or orange slices.
Watermelon Smoothie
Smoothies are a guilt-free way to hydrate—and watermelon is a terrific, low-calorie smoothie base. Not only is it a natural hydrator because of its water content, watermelon is also loaded with nutrients, including cancer-fighting lycopene, as well as an amino acid known as arginine. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that arginine can decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass.
Iced Peppermint Tea
This minty thirst quencher is super-refreshing, but it’s also a super-effective belly flattener. Peppermint tea helps your stomach process fat, ensuring even high-fat foods like steaks are digested quickly, which helps prevent bloat.
Green Tea
Besides reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease, green tea contains catechins, antioxidants that studies show can help reduce belly fat. That’s right: Green tea can actually help you lose weight. If you sip a little before a workout, these compounds can also increase your fat burn during aerobic exercise.
Protein shake
30g of pure whey isolate protein powder 115 calories and only 1.2g of sugar in 400ml of almond milk which contains 200 calories and no sugar is a really filling post workout drink and I find this helps me avoid any snacking between meals.
Have a great day 🙂
Julie
julie@fitterbodybootcamp.com
www.fitterbodybootcamp.com