Hot Summer, Cool Drinks!
Summer is here! And that means scorching temps and the desire for a refreshing drink! Caloric intake has increased as much as 15% in the last 20 years, and about half of the extra calories come from sweetened drinks. The average person in the U.S. drinks more than 400 calories per day, which means 20% of our total calories can be traced back to cups, cans, and bottles. With those shocking numbers, here are a few tips on how to steer clear of the worst offenders to make sure you keep your body bikini ready!
Before you reach for that glass of lemonade, did you know that it has the equivalent of 6 teaspoons of sugar? Not to mention that around 100 calories for a glass, it is not much better for you than a can of soda! Instead why not try making your own infused water? You can add lemon, orange or cucumber slices for a refreshing (and healthier) beverage!
We sometimes trick ourselves into thinking that because something contains fruit it must be good for us! While alcohol would seem to be the culprit, it is actually the mixers that are loaded with sugars (and calories). An 8 oz. frozen strawberry margarita contains over 700 calories - and don’t even think about having a pina colada which can have as many as 880 calories! Instead why not have a light beer? At 100 calories, you will be saving hundreds of calories as well as reducing your chances of a stroke, heart and vascular disease.
While coffee does have health benefits such as reducing the risks of diabetes and heart disease, frozen coffee drinks are full of saturated fats and sugars. With 660 calories and nearly 50 grams of fat, drinking a large Coffee Coolatta from Dunkin Donuts might leave you letting out your belt a notch. Instead try chilled green tea, which has all of the health benefits minus the damage to your figure. If you want a bit of flavor, add slices of fresh fruit or freeze 100% fruit juice and drop in a cube or two.
Ahh…milkshakes are the dessert disguised as a harmless drink! While they might seem to be a refreshing treat, they are in fact quite dangerous - filled with saturated fat and sprinkled with tons of sugar. A healthier alternative is a homemade smoothie with a cup of yogurt, some ice, and a handful of fruit. Make sure to watch the portions so you don’t inadvertently consume extra calories!
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