Oftentimes when people think about losing weight, they consider the foods they should or shouldn’t be eating. But it’s also crucial to remember that the beverages you consume are a vital part of your diet, too. Of course, it’s no surprise that it’s important to lay off the sugary beverages like soda if you’re trying to shed some pounds, but have you ever thought about the fact that certain drinks can actually help you reach your weight loss goals? And we’re not talking about harmful detox teas!
To discover the best, tried and true beverages you can drink every day to boot your metabolism and lose weight at a steady rate, we spoke to dietitian Dana Ellis Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, and author of Recipe For Survival. Her go-to recommendations are a lot simpler than you may expect. Check them out below!
1. Black Coffee
If you start each morning with a steaming cup of energizing black coffee, you're in luck! As it turns out, plain old coffee is one of the best things you can drink for weight loss. "Black coffee is anti-inflammatory, has caffeine which boosts metabolism, and is full of antioxidants and plant nutrients, a.k.a. phytonutrients," Hunnes explains. She notes that these components can really pack a punch when it comes to weight loss, as they work together to keep you health, boost your metabolism, and maintain your weight. Just be careful to leave out any fattening, unhealthy ingredients such as high-sugar creamers and syrups. These can completely negate the health benefits of coffee and, rather than helping you lose weight, may lead to weight gain and other health complications over time. When in doubt, just take it black!
2. Green or Black Tea
If coffee isn't your cup of tea (haha—get it?) you can give actual tea a try, instead. Caffeinated varieties such as green tea and black tea boast many of the same fat-blasting benefits as black coffee. Hunnes points out that "these are also known to have many anti-inflammatory compounds in them and are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients," and also emphasizes the importance of leaving sugars and sweeteners out of the mix if you're looking to lose weight. Just as you don't want to overload your coffee with sweet ingredients (no matter how tasty it can make it), the same can be said for tea. As longas you follow that rule, you'll be well on your way to a faster metabolism and a slimmer waistline over time.
3. Water
Okay, so this one isn't exactly a shocker—but it's still so important to remember that above all, you should be sipping on plain old water water all day long, every day! It's essential to your overall health and can do wonders when it comes to weight loss. "Although water does not have caffeine in it nor does it have vitamins and minerals or nutrients in it, often if we are dehydrated or metabolism will slow down," Hunnes explains. That means if you're not getting enough water every day, not only will you suffer numerous health consequences, but you may also find it harder to lose weight. "I add water to the list because it can help boost metabolism if we are dehydrated, research shows if we drink water before a meal will taking fewer calories, and it’s just an all-around healthy beverage to make sure we drink more of," Hunnes concludes. BRB... going to fill up our big water bottle ASAP!
