Sipping vs. Chewing
Drinking can easily pack on pounds.
Have you noticed your waste line increasing but your eating habits have not changed? Well you may be packing it on by what you drink not what you eat. Studies show that we’re chugging 411 liquid calories daily, that’s almost 130 more consumed than in 1990. The iced lattés with breakfast, a smoothie in the afternoon or the five o’clock cocktails can all be contributing to your weight gain.
Sipping versus chewing changes how our bodies recognize and process the calories we take in. Some experts believe that eating, which involves munching and crunching, sends signals to the brain that trigger satiety. It doesn’t take too much effort to drink so it’s easy to indulge.
In the summer I like going out to dinner or entertaining by the pool. All of which are fun times but slowly I realized the scale was fluctuating. I immediately changed my cardio routine on non- bootcamp days. This change along with becoming mindful of my beverage choices, I was able to get right back to maintaining my weight. Below are some ideas of what you can do to keep your calories in check.
What to do? Think before you drink.
No more than 10 percent of your total daily calories should come from beverages. If you’re eating 1,800 calories daily, that’s 180 calories, or a glass of orange juice, or wine. It’s important to check the labels.
Timing it right. Drink most of your calories during the day, when you’re most active and likely to burn them off.
Pace yourself. When you’re at happy hour or socially drinking, have a glass of water between drinks. You’ll consume fewer calories and stay hydrated at the same time.
Try milk. Believe it or not having a glass of skim milk can curb your appetite at bedtime and stop the munchies.
Stay away from soda or high caloric drinks containing high fructose corn syrup or sugar additives.
Water is the best hydrator, add a little lemon to it or splash some antioxidants in like pomegranate or cranberry juice. We generally get thirsty in the summer causing us to search for thirst quenchers, if you exercise and choose a healthy beverage, you’ll be able to maintain your weight.
-Bernadette McLoughlin
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