Weight Watchers Friendly Weight Loss Tip: Don't Drink Your Calories

Beverages Photo Credit: Flicker: Matt.Herzog

Do you know how many calories you are drinking? When I sat down and figured it out I was shocked! Especially by my coffee shop favorites!

I ready recently that we Americans consume way too many calories. And at least 20% of those calories come from the things we drink, which aren't nearly as satisfying as to our stomachs as food.

It's easy to do, with so many tasty, sugary, high calorie options available. Have you checked out the beverage aisle at the grocery store? It's mind boggling!!

The sad truth is that even though they may taste great, sodas, soft drinks, sports drinks, juice drinks and sugary tea and coffee drinks are loaded with calories and sorely lacking in vitamins and minerals.

Did you know the typical 12 ounce soda or sweetened iced tea has about 150 calories? Orange juice and cranberry juice, while containing nutrients, have just as many calories. Back when I first joined Weight Watchers I was shocked that a serving of orange juice was 4 ounces not 12 or 20, like I was used to pouring!

So, how do you decide what's worth drinking?

When it comes to quenching your thirst and keeping yourself hydrated, the experts all agree that it's hard to beat pure calorie free water.  So they advise you to make this your go-to beverage as often as possible.

Other good choices include unsweetened coffee and tea, 100 percent juices, low-fat milk, and smoothies in moderation.

Diet drinks are an option if you want your soft  drinks without the calories, but I'm not a fan of artificial sweeteners. More and more studies are beginning to link diet beverages and obesity, though the exact reasons remain unclear. And I discovered through trial and error that beverages with sucralose give me a headache.

What are some fun and tasty no and low calorie options?

1) Still or Sparkling Water with a Splash

Add a splash of juice and/or a squeeze of lemon to ice water or club soda for a refreshing change of pace.

2) Skinny Spa Water

I first fell in love with this refreshing skinny spa water when I tasted it an Aveda salon years ago. Every time I make it I ask myself why I don't do it more often. It really turns plain water into something special.

Combine in a pitcher and refrigerate:

• ½ cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
• ½ lemon, thinly sliced, in a pitcher.

3) Sassy Spa Water

From The Flat Belly Diet. Designed to help you "cleanse" and de-bloat.

Combine in a pitcher and refrigerate:

• 2 litres/3½ pints water
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
• 1 medium lemon, thinly sliced
• 12 mint leaves

4) Cranberry Cocktail

This is great alternative to soda and/or cocktails.

Pour club soda into an iced filled glass. Add a splash of cranberry juice cocktail and wedge of lime.

5) Vegetable Juice Cocktail

Pour vegetable juice, such as V8, into an iced filled glass and add a squeeze of lemon.

6) Unsweetened Tea

There are so many choices when it comes to tea including black tea, green tea and  caffeine-free herb tea that can be enjoyed either hot or cold. Just don't add a bunch of sugar. Sweetened iced teas can have as many calories as soda.

Do you have a favorite healthy no or low calorie beverage to share?

*PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT Weight Watchers Zero Points fruits and vegetables using the WW Recipe Builder.