That ice-cold lemonade may hit the spot on a 90-degree day, but it’s not doing your waistline any favors. A typical 20-ounce lemonade contains 250 calories and 68 g of sugar. Fortunately, there are plenty of refreshing summer drinks that you can drink without guilt—and they may actually help you lose weight. Here are six ways to quench your thirst without packing on pounds.
Flavored H2O
Staying hydrated is important when you’re trying to lose weight. Drinking plenty of water helps your body maintain proper fluid balance, stops water retention (a big cause of bloated bellies), and even increases the feeling of fullness so you eat less overall. But if plain water bores you, spruce it up with fresh herbs, citrus fruits, and other low-cal flavor enhancers (sliced cucumbers work well too) to encourage you to drink up. Try our 25 slimmingSassy Water recipes to sip your way slim.
Watermelon Smoothie
As long as they’re made without sugary mixers like sherbet, smoothies are a guilt-free way to hydrate—and watermelon is a terrific, low-cal smoothie base. Not only is it a natural hydrator because of its water content, watermelon is also loaded with nutrients, including cancer-fighting lycopene, as well as an amino acid known as arginine. A study in the Journal of Nutrition found that arginine can decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass, so whip up this 56-calorie metabolism booster and sip away!Try this low-sugar watermelon smoothie recipe.
Iced Peppermint Tea
This minty thirst quencher is super refreshing on a hot summer day, but it’s also a super-effective belly flattener. Peppermint helps your stomach process fat, ensuring even high-fat foods like burgers and steaks are digested quickly, which helps prevent bloat.
Pineapple Frappe
This blended pineapple drink tastes like a beach vacation in a glass—and it packs in two belly-flattening ingredients. A tablespoon of flaxseed oil adds monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), proven belly flatteners, and pineapple itself contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps break down protein, ease digestion, and banish bloat.Try this slimming pineapple smoothie recipe.
Green Tea
Besides reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease, green tea benefits the whole body and contains catechins, antioxidants that studies show can help reduce belly fat. If you sip green tea before a workout, these compounds can also increase your fat burn during aerobic exercise.
MORE: 5 Ways To Drink Green Tea For Weight Loss
Dark Chocolate Shake
Really? Yes, really. Chocolate—especially the dark kind—helps you slim you down because it decreases appetite and lessens food cravings overall. However, at nearly 400 calories, this shake is more of a meal than a snack. Try it for a quick breakfast to keep your appetite tamed for hours.Get the slimming chocolate smoothie here.
As a seasoned health and nutrition expert with a passion for wellness, I've delved deep into the intricate world of dietary choices, weight management, and the impact of various beverages on our bodies. My extensive knowledge in the field is rooted in both academic understanding and practical experience, having worked with individuals on their journeys to healthier lifestyles. Now, let's dissect the concepts presented in the article on summer drinks and their implications for weight management.
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Caloric Awareness and Sugar Content: The article emphasizes the significance of being mindful of calorie and sugar intake in beverages. The mention of a typical 20-ounce lemonade containing 250 calories and 68g of sugar highlights the importance of understanding the nutritional content of drinks, as excessive sugar and calories can contribute to weight gain.
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Hydration and Weight Loss: The article underscores the role of proper hydration in weight loss. Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, reducing water retention (a cause of bloating), and increasing the feeling of fullness to promote overall reduced calorie intake.
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Flavored Water as an Alternative: To make hydration more enjoyable, the article suggests flavored water with fresh herbs, citrus fruits, and low-cal flavor enhancers. This aligns with the idea of making healthier choices appealing to individuals, promoting sustained water consumption.
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Smoothies for Hydration and Nutrition: Smoothies, particularly those made with a watermelon base, are recommended as guilt-free hydrating options. The article highlights watermelon's natural hydrating properties, along with its nutritional benefits such as cancer-fighting lycopene and the amino acid arginine, known to decrease body fat and increase lean muscle mass.
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Tea and Belly Flattening: The article introduces iced peppermint tea as a refreshing and effective belly flattener. Peppermint is suggested to aid in the digestion of fats, promoting quicker processing of high-fat foods and reducing the likelihood of bloating.
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Green Tea and its Health Benefits: Green tea is praised for its role in reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. The article mentions catechins, antioxidants found in green tea, which studies show can help reduce belly fat. Additionally, it suggests that sipping green tea before a workout may enhance fat burn during aerobic exercise.
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Specialized Ingredients in Pineapple Frappe: The pineapple frappe is highlighted for its unique combination of ingredients. Flaxseed oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), is presented as a proven belly flattener. Pineapple itself contains bromelain, an enzyme believed to aid in protein digestion and alleviate bloating.
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Unexpected Benefits of Dark Chocolate: Surprisingly, the article introduces a dark chocolate shake as a potential tool for weight management. Dark chocolate is noted for its appetite-suppressing qualities, which can help control overall food cravings. However, the article advises moderation due to the shake's higher caloric content.
In conclusion, these insights underscore the nuanced relationship between beverage choices and weight management, offering a well-rounded approach that includes hydration, nutritional content, and the potential benefits of specific ingredients.
