You’re exercising and limiting the size of your portions, but you’re not seeing the scale drop or your figure shape up. What gives? Well, that sugary, oversized coffee you’re having for breakfast each morning may be sabotaging your dieting efforts. It’s no secret that high-calorie drinks can contribute to weight gain, but does it really matter whether your calories come from drinks versus solid foods?
Although drastically reducing your calories would technically cause you to lose weight no matter where those calories came from, studies show that consuming liquid calories often leads to overeating. This is because the sugar in beverages is easy to consume quickly before you have time to feel full.
Liquid Calories Add To Overall Calorie Intake
Not only does your body react differently to liquid calories, but pairing a sweetened beverage with your meal can add hundreds of calories to your daily intake.
People have a tendency not to count beverages as calories, or they think that a diet drink will make them lose weight. Washing down a meal with a shake intended to be a meal replacement is a common mistake.
What you really should be drinking with most meals is water. If you find yourself getting bored with sticking to plain water, try mixing things up by drinking plain tea, black coffee, or seltzer water.
Sugary Drinks Are Linked To Weight Gain
The bottom line is that numerous studies have linked sugary drinks to weight gain. The solution is to avoid spending your daily calorie allotment on liquid calories. By drinking plenty of water and eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet, you’ll be more likely to meet your protein and fiber requirements, making it easier to control your appetite and stick to your weight loss plan.
Vitality Weight Loss Institute is a medical weight loss clinic committed to helping patients lose weight through compassionate, individualized nutrition counseling, a comprehensive weight loss program, and other helpful resources. For more information, reach out to our specialists today!
