Let’s find out ‘What Are The 7 Best Drinking Habits for Weight Loss?’ The profusion of delicious drinks that come back each winter is one of its greatest features. In the winter, the flavor and feel of a warm beverage may bring so much coziness and atmosphere.
But regrettably, indulging in particular seasonal and holiday libations can undermine your efforts to lose weight.
In general, the holidays are when we consume more calorie-dense, sugar-sweetened, and alcoholic beverages, according to Bianca Tamburello, RDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist with FRESH Communications.
Adds Miami, Florida-based certified sports dietitian Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN “Indulgent drinks are readily available at this time of year, whether you choose to have a cup of hot cocoa after a chilly winter night, a warm glass of eggnog at a holiday event, or purchase a holiday-themed latte like a pumpkin spice or peppermint mocha. More cocktails and alcoholic drinks may be consumed during the holidays at family and friend gatherings as well as holiday work parties.”
Given the prevalence of these beverages, it’s critical to monitor your intake of sugar, calories, and fat if you want to reduce or maintain your weight. Here are seven of the best drinking practices to remember this winter, as recommended by dietitians, to assist you.
Choose 100% Fruit Juice
If you want a sweet drink during a holiday celebration, choose fruit juice that is 100% juice and has no added sugar.
Try 100% fruit juice, such as orange juice, instead of drinks with added sugar, advises Ehsani. “100% orange juice is a fantastic source of vitamin C, which can support a healthy immune system throughout the winter, also known as the cold and flu season.”
She continues, saying that selecting fortified orange juice is even better because it also includes vitamin D, which is crucial for maintaining the health of our immune systems, as well as phytonutrients, flavonoids, and carotenoids that can help fight inflammation and shield us from disease and illness.
Alternate Alcoholic Beverages With Water At Your Next Holiday Gathering
Enjoy the beverage! Just be sure to drink some water afterward.
In a social setting, it can be simple to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had because alcoholic beverages frequently have high calorie counts, according to Tamburello. “To slow down and hydrate, alternate getting cocktails back-to-back with a glass of water.”
Choose Your Booze Wisely
You might be seduced by the abundance of alcohol-filled cocktails and wine glasses at holiday parties. So, if you’re trying to lose weight or keep it off, it’s important to choose your alcohol carefully.
“Unfortunately, consuming alcohol might raise the overall number of empty calories you consume. If you plan to drink, remember to go by the dietary recommendations to help you maintain or even reduce weight, which state that men and women should each have no more than two drinks per day “Ehsani adds. “A low-ABV beverage or mocktail might be what you’re after. Although these beverages may contain less alcohol, you should be aware that they almost certainly still contain calories and added sugar.”
Choose Mini Bottles Of Wine For Easy Portion Control
Love wine? You could avoid overindulging if you follow this advice.
When a festive movie is playing in the background when a bottle of wine is open, Tamburello believes it is all too easy to reach for a second and third glass. Choose small bottles as an alternative for simple portion management.
Choose Herbal Teas
Turn to a cup of herbal tea if you want a warm, comforting beverage that won’t add any calories to your diet.
“Herbal tea is a wonderful calorie-free beverage to enjoy, allowing you to take advantage of the pleasant flavors of the winter season without having to worry about consuming extra calories.
There are a variety of tea tastes available on the market, including chamomile, fennel, ginger, and peppermint, which may be used to treat nausea or indigestion “Ehsani explains. “Alternatively, if you’d like something fruitier, try a peach, lemon, orange, or hibiscus tea. You don’t even need to add honey or sugar to the drinks because they are all so flavorful.”
Choose Non-Fat Milk And Sugar-Free Syrups In Your Holiday Coffee Drinks
You may still sip on a lightened-up version of your PSL or peppermint mocha.
According to Tamburello, “Special edition holiday coffee drinks are frequently excessive in added sugar and calories.” “Choose nonfat or low-fat milk, or ask for a sugar-free flavoring syrup, to make these delicious drinks a little lighter.”
Don’t Forget The Water!
To aid in weight reduction, make sure you are consuming enough water throughout the day. A sufficient daily fluid intake is defined by the Mayo Clinic as 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids for males and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids for women.
Ehsani asserts that drinking lots of water might stop you from overeating at meals or reaching for late-night munchies. “You can mistakenly believe that you are hungry when you are actually merely dehydrated. To maintain your desired weight, it is crucial to always make sure you are drinking a lot of water.”
