Liquid Health: Does Your Drink Make a Difference?
By Genevieve Cunningham
When we think of calories, we generally think about the food that goes into our mouths. The bread, the meat, the fruits and veggies. If we count our food calories, we're all set, right? Unfortunately, many of us skip a very important part of counting calories -- the drinks. Drinks can add up quickly, and if we're not careful, they can contribute heavily to weight gain. If you need a little help keeping the drink portion of your diet under control, take a look at this quick guide to get you started.
Water Is Best
It doesn't matter who you are or what kind of shape you're in, there will never be a better drink choice than water. Water is what keeps us hydrated. It fuels the body and keeps us alive. It can promote weight loss and clear skin and improve focus. And to top it all off, it's a zero calorie drink choice. If you have the option, you should definitely choose water whenever possible.
Count the Calories
If you choose to drink something other than water -- which we all do! -- make sure that you include those calories in your daily total. Regular coffee is a very low-calorie drink as long as it's not full of sugar and cream. The same goes for most herbal tea options. But if you're consuming a drink that's 500 or 1,000 calories, you're definitely going to need to count those calories. If you don't, you'll be consuming far more calories than you intend on a daily basis.
Choose Alternatives
If you want to enjoy your drink but don't want the calories, you can still spice it up a bit. Try infusing your water with fruit for a little additional flavor. Or you could try various herbal tea flavors with a spoonful of your favorite zero-calorie sweetener. Or you could even make the simple switch from regular soda to diet soda for a step in the right direction. Sometimes we just have to learn to make better choices, and these alternatives are a great start.
Just like the food that you eat, the drinks that you consume definitely matter. Unfortunately, it can be so easy to get sucked into a delicious, calorie-ridden drink trap. Use these tips to keep your drink menu low-calorie and manageable, and it will improve your health over time.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Worth, Fla.