There’s nothing like having a nice beverage on hand to sip on throughout the day. And while the best, most hydrating choice will always be plain old water, sometimes your taste buds are going to want something a little different. Unfortunately, many of the most popular drinks are loaded with sugar, which can lead to a number of health risks—and ultimately hold you back on your weight loss journey. However, there are plenty of healthy options to choose from.
To shed light on a few of the best options out there, we checked in with registered dietitian and nutrition writer for Living.Fit Catherine Gervacio. She told us that unsweetened almond milk, fresh vegetable juice, and green tea make great choices. Read on to learn more about how these low-sugar beverage can help you reach your weight loss goals below.
1. Unsweetened almond milk
Gervacio says that swapping your usual milk of choice for unsweetened almond milk can be a great way to promote weight loss. This is a healthy alternative to flavored, sugary varieties, which can actually contribute to weight gain if you're not careful. "[Unsweetened almond milk] is low in calories and sugar. It can be a good source of vitamin E, and some are fortified with calcium," she tells us.
Gervacio also points out that this beverage makes a good alternative to cow's milk for those who are lactose intolerant. "Unsweetened almond milk typically contains fewer calories than cow's milk or sweetened almond milk because it has low carbs and sugar. This makes it easier for you to maintain a calorie deficit which is essential for weight loss," she says. Perfect!
2. Fresh vegetable juice
Here's another great, refreshing option. While many of us can appreciate the great taste of a cold glass of fruit juice, it's important to keep in mind that many of the varieties you find in stores are highly processed and loaded with sugar. For this reason, fruit juice can actually be one of the worst beverages to drink for weight loss. Luckily, fresh vegetable juice makes a fantastic alternative.
"Freshly pressed or blended vegetable juices can be a great way to get additional fiber and nutrients while keeping sugar and calories low," Gervacio says. "Vegetables are naturally low in calories, making vegetable juice a low-calorie beverage option."
In addition to helping you keep your calorie intake low, she adds that vegetable juice is "packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health and can aid in weight loss. For example, some vitamins like B vitamins play a crucial role in energy metabolism." Incredible!
3. Unsweetened green tea
Of course, you can't go wrong with a good old cup of tea. There are so many great, benefit-packed teas to choose from, but Gervacio puts green tea, which is "renowned for its health benefits" at the top of the list.
"It's packed with antioxidants and, according to various studies, can help boost your metabolic rate and increase fat burning," she says, explaining that this tea is "loaded with bioactive compounds like catechins and flavonoids, which function as powerful antioxidants." In fact, a catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may even help boost metabolism and enhance fat burn.
Of course, another major benefit is the fact that green tea contains 0 calories if you leave out sweetener. It's a win all around!
The bottom line
There are several important steps you should take and healthy habits you should implement if you want to lose weight at a steady rate. However, one of the most important changes you should make to your diet as you work towards the body if your dreams is to limit your sugar intake as much as possible. While replacing your go-to sugary beverage with these healthy options, you'll definitely be moving in the right direction.
