What if you could drink your way thinner? The beverages you drink each day have a direct influence on your body weight and general health. While calorie-rich, nutrient-poor drinks like soda will leave you carrying extra pounds, certain drinks will have the exact opposite effect, enhancing digestion and reducing bloating so you can burn more fat and maybe even fit into those jeans again.
This was the popular promise of last year’s trendy weight loss drink: apple cider vinegar. However, not everyone can stomach the sour taste, so we thought we would share some alternatives which can be equally helpful in supporting your fitness goals.
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First, let’s briefly examine how these drinks work in the body. There are many mechanisms by which a beverage can increase your body’s ability to shed excess weight, and since different ingredients have different benefits, you’ll see the most positive change if you consume a rotation of different recipes on a regular basis.
Weight loss drinks encourage healthy hydration
The human body requires a certain amount of fluid each day to maintain a healthy level of hydration. When your body needs water, the signal for thirst can often be confused with hunger, so often we eat when we don’t actually need to. Consuming more of the drinks from the list below can pre-empt this issue by keeping the body hydrated and preventing unnecessary eating.
Weight loss drinks increase satiety
Simply put, drinks take up space in the stomach and decrease the need to eat more food. In addition, incorporating nutrient-dense ingredients such as yogurt, nuts and seeds provides healthy calories reducing the urge to snack on junk food.
Weight loss drinks can help balance blood sugar
Certain ingredients such as cinnamon and whey protein can help balance blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity, which in turn helps regulate hormones and hunger signals in the body to encourage weight loss.
Weight loss drinks can reduce inflammation
Inflammation is known to be one of the most prevalent root causes of disease and can lead the body to hold on to excess fat. Inflammation also causes swelling and hardening in the tissues of the body which creates the impression of a heavier body weight. Incorporating strategic ingredients such as green tea and turmeric into your weight loss drinks can help combat this effect and create a slimmer physique.
Weight loss drinks can enhance metabolism, digestion and detoxification
When you digest more effectively, your body is naturally able to move toxins and waste products through the system. This is why it’s a great idea to use detoxifying ingredients such as spirulina and ginger when making weight loss drinks.
Weight loss drinks can support the immune system and microbiome
Working hand in hand with the digestive system, we can’t forget the critical function of the microbiome. Consuming probiotic ingredients like kombucha and kefir is an effective way to support these functions to encourage weight loss.
Weight loss drink recipes and ideas
Now that you understand how weight loss drinks work, let’s get on to the recipes.
1. Water
2. Green tea
Research has shown that green tea helps boost fat burning in the body.
3. Lemon water
4. Peppermint tea
Peppermint is just one of the herbs that has been researched as a healthy alternative to weight loss drugs. Enjoy a cup cold or hot and enjoy better digestion too.
5. Detox water and fruit water
No doubt you’ve seen these trendy drinks plastered across social media or perhaps in the water bottles of your colleagues. Simply add some fresh ingredients to your water to make it taste delicious and provide weight loss benefits too. Fresh lemon, cucumber and mint is one of the most popular recipes, but you can get creative with different fresh fruits and herbs.
6. White tea
Similar to green tea, this lighter type of tea is rich in antioxidants and has been found to inhibit the formation of body fat as well as encourage fat-burning activity.
7. Cold brew coffee
Did you know that heating affects the composition and flavor of coffee? Cold-brewing your cup of joe may preserve more of the antioxidant activity, meaning it will help you lose more weight.
8. Rooibos tea
This African tea contains a unique bioflavonoid that reduces stress hormones and fat cell formation in the body. Why not swap a cup of coffee for naturally sweet-tasting rooibos.
9. Organic whole milk
Good quality milk is a whole different product from most of the stuff you find in the supermarket. Try full-fat organic milk, and even go raw if you feel comfortable, and you’ll find it makes a nutritious snack that fills the gap between meals and keeps you away from the candy drawer.
10. Green juice
Incorporating a glass of green juice into your day is a great idea for weight loss. Go fresh and use parsley, celery and cucumber, or looks for a powdered product with wheat grass, barley grass, spirulina or chlorella.
11. Kombucha
12. Kefir
13. Coconut water
If you’re addicted to soda or sweet juices, try replacing them with coconut water. It’s a potent natural hydrator rich in nutrients like potassium, that will help cut the empty calories and artificial ingredients from processed beverages.
14. Turmeric ginger shot
As we talked about above, inflammation is one reason your body might be holding on to extra weight. Combat this, plus boost digestion and detox, with a quick shot of turmeric and ginger in the morning. Simply squeeze about a teaspoon of juice from a little freshly grated root, add to a shot glass of water, and drink it down.
15. Almond milk
By now you might be noticing a theme of replacing sweetened and artificially-flavored drinks with healthier alternatives that nourish your body. Almond milk is a great choice for this, as long as you can find an unsweetened brand. Look for as few ingredients as possible on the label.
16. Ginger tea
Ginger is such a potent ingredient helping to improve many bodily functions that support weight loss. Brew up a cup with some fresh ginger root and enjoy anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and detox-boosting properties.
17. Grapefruit juice
This study found obese patients experienced significant weight loss when they ate half a fresh grapefruit before meals. Enjoy this tangy juice on its own or combine with your detox water or smoothies.
18. Chia seed drink
Satisfy your hunger and get a healthy dose of protein and omega 3’s with a chia seed drink.
19. Dandelion root tea
This traditional remedy has now been proven by modern science to help fight the accumulation of body fat. It also reduces bloating and water retention and improves digestion to create an overall slimming effect.
With all of these delicious ideas to try, there is just no excuse to continue loading your body with artificial, toxic or sugary drinks. Stock up on some healthy options and watch your body shift into a healthy happy shape.
— Liivi Hess