One of the best things about winter is the abundance of delicious beverages that come back seasonally. The taste and feel of a hot winter drink adds to the comfort and atmosphere. Unfortunately, however, indulging in certain seasonal or holiday beverages can undermine your weight loss efforts.
“In general, we tend to drink sweet, sugar-sweetened and alcoholic beverages that add extra calories on vacation. Bianca Tamburello, RDNFRESH Communications Registered Dietitian.
addition Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDNa registered sports nutritionist in Miami, Fla., says, “Whether you enjoy a cup of hot cocoa after a cold winter night, a warm eggnog at a holiday event, or opt for a holiday-themed latte like pumpkin spice, or Indulgent drinks like peppermint mocha are ubiquitous this time of year, and more cocktails and alcoholic beverages are available during the holiday season, whether at holiday work parties or family and friend gatherings. .”
With all these drinks in abundance, it’s important to watch your sugar, calorie, and fat intake if you’re trying to lose or maintain weight. Here are the seven best drinking habits to keep in mind this season.
Choose 100% fruit juice
If you want to enjoy a sweet drink at your holiday party, opt for 100% unsweetened fruit juices.
“Skip sugar-sweetened drinks and try 100% fruit juices like orange juice,” says Ehsani. It helps maintain a healthy and strong immune system during cold and flu season.”
She adds that opting for fortified orange juice is even better. Because it also contains vitamin D. Vitamin D is also important for keeping your immune system strong, and it also contains phytonutrients, flavonoids and carotenoids that help fight inflammation and prevent disease and illness.
Substitute alcoholic beverages with water at your next holiday get-together
Enjoy your cocktail! Be sure to follow up with water.
“Alcoholic beverages are often high in calories, and it’s easy to forget how many drinks you’ve had in a social setting,” says Tamburello. “Instead of drinking cocktails back to back, alternate with a glass of water to slow down the pace and stay hydrated.”
choose alcohol wisely
When it comes to holiday parties, you might be tempted by the boozy cocktails and wine glasses on offer. So if you want to lose weight or try to maintain it, it’s important to choose your alcohol carefully.
“Unfortunately, drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the overall amount of empty calories you are taking in. If you do drink, remember to follow dietary guidelines for maintaining or losing weight. No more than two drinks a day for women and two drinks a day for men,” says Esani. “You can also look for low-alcohol drinks and mocktails. These may have less alcohol, but are still likely to contain calories and may also have added sugar. be careful.”
Choose mini-bottles of wine for easy control of volume
do you like wine? This tip will help you avoid overindulging.
“An open bottle of wine is very tempting to grab a second and third glass, especially when a fun holiday movie is playing in the background,” says Tamburello. Choose a mini bottle that allows you to easily control the amount.”
choose herbal tea
If you’re looking for a warm, comforting beverage that burns no calories, look to herbal teas.
“Herbal teas are great zero-calorie drinks. You can enjoy the fun flavors of the winter season without worrying about consuming extra calories. Tea flavors such as ginger, peppermint and chamomile are available in abundance.” “Or if you like something fruity, peaches, lemons, oranges, or hibiscus,” says Ehsani. You can turn them into teas, they’re all packed with flavor and you don’t even need to add honey or sugar to drink them.”
Choose non-fat milk and sugar-free syrup for your holiday coffee drink
You can also enjoy PSL or Peppermint Mocha in light-up versions.
“Special edition holiday coffee drinks are often loaded with sugar and calories,” says Tamburello. “To make these delicious drinks a little lighter, opt for fat-free or low-fat milk, or ask for sugar-free versions of flavored syrups.”
Don’t forget water!
Make sure you’re drinking enough water throughout the day. This helps in weight loss efforts. Adequate fluid intake per day for men is about 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) for men and about 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) for women, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“Drinking plenty of water can prevent you from overeating during meals and reaching for late-night snacks,” says Ehsani. It’s possible, so it’s important to always make sure you’re drinking enough water to maintain your desired weight.”
