The #1 Best Drink to Burn Belly Fat, Says Dietitian
While many people focus on the food they eat when they're trying to lose weight, they oftentimes forget to consider their drink choices as well.
And when it comes to belly fat, or "visceral fat" (the dangerous fat that wraps around your internal organs), drinking your calories is one of the fastest ways to put on extra weight.
This is largely because sugary drinks like soda, cocktails, and processed fruit drinks come with a ton of added sugar and little to no nutritional value. And without nutrients like fiber, for example, these sugary drinks can quickly lead to unwanted weight gain.
Thankfully there are drink choices you can make that can help with your weight loss goals. For example, according to Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at Go Wellness, one of the best drinks to consume to burn belly fat is one that is high in protein, like a protein shake or smoothie.
Continue reading to learn why protein shakes are the best drinks for belly fat loss, and for more healthy drinking tips, make sure to check out Drinking Habits to Help You Shrink Abdominal Fat.
How protein shakes support belly and visceral fat loss.
Protein serves a number of different roles in losing visceral fat. "For one, protein drinks can promote fullness and curb hunger, which is always important when trying to burn fat," says D'Angelo.
The Journal of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome found that high-protein diets were directly associated with fat loss because of the satiety signaling that it helps increase. And not only that, but protein also helps to boost your metabolism through muscle gain.
"Our muscles are metabolically active, which means that the more muscles we have, the faster your metabolism, which results in burning more fat throughout the body and abdominal area," says D'Angelo. Because of this, protein-heavy drinks are helpful in building lean muscle while burning belly fat as well.
Finding the best protein powder
When it comes to choosing a protein powder for making your shake or smoothie, there are a few things you may want to consider. You'll first want to make sure the company is third-party tested since many brands out there aren't. This will help you rest assured that you're consuming a safe product.
Another thing you may want to look for is a brand that is sugar-free or low in added sugar, which will help you stick to your weight loss goals.
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