Are Your Drinks of Choice Making You Fat?

Many of us unknowingly increase our caloric and sugar intake through what we drink daily. So let's re-evaluate your fluid intake for weight loss benefits. How many of us are guilty of gulping down a glass of juice in the morning or how about that cup of coffee with the flavored creamer and sugar to get our day going? Do you like to relax in the evening with a glass of wine or spirits? If you have been struggling to lose weight, especially around the mid-section, then examining your daily liquid intake may be a good place to start.I have identified 5 ways to make changes to your fluid consumption to assist with weight loss.

1. Drink filtered water. Our bodies are composed of approximately 70% water, therefore we need a constant supply to keep our bodies functioning properly. Water also regulates the bowels, flushes out toxins, improves complexion, prevents headaches, provides energy, weight loss, among others. By adding a little squeeze of lemon to your water, it can make the water more tasty but also aids in digestion, good source of vitamin C, boosts the immune system and cleanses internal systems of body. For example, by drinking hot water and lemon first thing in the morning will regulate the liver functions, help maintain PH balance, and increase weight loss.
2. Drastically reduce intake of juices and other sugary drinks. If you must drink juice, make sure it is 100% pure juice, no sugar, corn syrup or artificial sweeteners added. These additives not only add empty calories but make us crave more sugars. A 100% cranberry juice is good. Avoid drinks like Gatorade since they are full of sugars, colors and additives.
3. No soda. I would even avoid any carbonated drink. They all create bloating and a continual craving for more since they are empty calories. Even the one's that claim to have no sugar often have added 'artificial flavoring'.
4. No alcohol. If your goal is to lose weight and detox your body, then eliminating alcohol will benefit your efforts. Alcohol is filtered through your liver. Your liver is your body's filter. If you have built up toxins in your body your liver may already be working overtime, so cutting out alcohol reduces the stress on the liver so it can do its job more efficiently. Your liver also houses your hormones. If you are a woman in "mid-life", whether peri-menopausal or menopausal, the consumption of alcohol will only exacerbate the imbalance of your hormones.
5. Green Tea instead of coffee. I realized this is a difficult vice to give up for many people and may require a gradual weening, depending on your current consumption per day. Again, coffee effects the function of your liver which you need to detox, maintain hormonal balance and to metabolize fat. In addition, most people add extra calories to their coffee through cream and sugar. We are also quite hooked on the Keurig coffee cups which when heated absorb the plastic from the small dispensing cup, often the coffee in not organic. Green tea offers those who need some caffeine other benefits as well, such as; antioxidants, lowers risk of cancer, improves brain function and fat loss. There are some beneficial properties in coffee too, such as reduced risk of heart disease, lowered risk of Type 2 Diabetes, as long as it is organic and not treated with pesticides. Also, giving up coffee may just be temporary situation to allow your adrenals and liver to rebuild.

The bottom line is a stressed liver cannot burn fat effectively. Many of the fluids listed above will stress the liver. By taking these simple steps and re-evaluating your own intake of fluids, you can assist your weight loss goals with greater gains.Share in the comments which fluid you struggle with and how you plan to change this habit.