Beware of liquid calories !

I was shocked when the learned Guru told the audience “We normally confuse Thirst with hunger.” Here I was sitting to gain some insights on meditation & life skills but was given the weight loss secret in one simple line.

I confused thirst with hunger too. Now, whenever a craving for snack occurs, I check if I am really hungry or just thirsty. In most cases a glass of water is all it takes to control the craving.

We need a little more information before following this advice to the tee. If not monitored, even liquid diet can add up to a lot of empty calories! The best beverage to lose weight is water.  Water is a zero calorie diet that flushes toxins & helps in weight reduction. Drinking water during a meal may dilute the digestive juices, but drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before the meal ensures that we do not overeat. In fact most of us over eat a litter at every meal! More tips on water & weight reduction can be found by clicking here.

Most sweetened beverages have too much of calories. Even the fruit juice that we drink may be loaded with calories. Here are some terminologies that  packed drinks use to denote sugar in the pack:

  • Glucose
  • Fructose
  • Sucrose
  • Corn syrup

It is better to eat fresh fruits or make fruit juice at home. Aerated drinks are another source of empty calories. It is better to have sugar free carbonated drinks. We may also accumulate fat by our obsession for smoothies & tall coffees. Cafes have become a common place for socializing & also for adding on excess flab.

Here are some tips for variety in low calorie drinks.

  1. Try sparkling water instead of colas.
  2. Mix lemon slices & squeeze ½ a lemon into the glass of water.
  3. Switch to green tea & herbal tea. Pinhead Gunpowder Green tea is a naturally sweet tea.
  4. Cucumber juice is a great liquid snack idea.
  5. Drink tender coconut juice.
  6. Stock your fridge with water instead of canned beverages, spice up this water with addition of mint or ginger.

Many of us believe that fluids cannot make us gain weight. Beware! :-|

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