Simple Drinking Habits for Getting a Lean Body, Says Dietitian
Hitting your weight loss goals can sometimes prove to be more complicated than expected. Oftentimes even after changing up your diet and exercising more, you still hit roadblocks in your journey.
In some cases, we hit these walls because of certain habits that we haven't been able to break yet. For example, getting in the habit of eating late at night or not eating enough fiber can keep us from achieving our goal weight.
And when it comes to habits that may get in the way of our lean body goals, your drinking habits play a role as well. Continue reading to learn what Medical Expert Board member and registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, author of The First Time Mom's Pregnancy Cookbook and Fueling Male Fertility has to say about healthy drinking habits to adopt for weight loss this year.
And for more healthy weight loss tips, make sure to check out 44 Ways to Lose Noticeable Inches of Belly Fat.
Focus on water
Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your weight loss goals, and for your overall health in general. In fact, a review from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that increased water consumption was associated with losing weight and maintaining weight loss.
"While it may sound pretty basic, drinking plain-old water can help keep your body hydrated with no additional sugar, calories, salt, or fat," says Manaker.
Be mindful of what you are adding to your coffee
When it comes to sticking to your weight loss goals while enjoying your morning cup of coffee, Manaker suggests paying close attention to the ingredients you add.
"Both coffee and tea are naturally calorie-free and can be a part of an overall healthy diet, but adding spoonfuls of sugar or a heavy pour of cream can add significant calories to your otherwise light beverage," says Manaker, "so when enjoying these drinks, limit adding anything that adds calories to your beverage."
Limit alcoholic beverages
You don't have to skip the alcohol altogether, but Manaker suggests limiting your consumption of it to help you get the lean body that you're working toward.
"Alcoholic drinks can fuel your body with unwanted calories and not much in the nutrition department," she says, "so while a once-in-a-while glass of wine or beer is a-ok, drinking alcoholic beverages in excess won't do wonders to your waistline."
A Current Obesity Reports study also warns of the dangers of heavy alcohol consumption, concluding that drinking around seven times a week or more is correlated with weight gain and increased risk of obesity.
Cut your 100% fruit juice with water
And lastly, adding 100% fruit juice to your diet can give you a generous nutrient boost. However, Manaker notes that you may want to cut it with water to save calories.
"While 100% fruit juices are a natural source of vitamins and minerals with no added sugar, drinking large quantities can contribute to overconsumption of calories," she says, "so doing a mixture of 1/2 water with 1/2 juice cuts your calorie intake in half while still giving your body the nutrition it needs."
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