Many of us now start our day with a nice glass of lemon-infused water in an attempt to stay ahead in our weight loss efforts. The only trouble is that lemon water is far from the miracle solution we've held it up to be. In fact, there are no beverages out there that can shed pounds for you. BUT, there are some drinks, when paired with a healthy diet, that can help you reach your weight loss goals. Here are 3 drinks you might consider adding to your routine today!
1. Coffee
The original energy drink! Research has found that drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee before a workout can make you work out longer and harder, meaning you can burn more calories. A study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, found that exercisers were able to do almost 20% more on a leg press machine when they fueled up with coffee beforehand. The key here, however, is to drink your coffee black. Adding cream and sugar will quickly undo any of the benefits of your caffeine charged workout.
2. Water
Take a pass on the lemon and add a handful of ice instead. Cold beverages make your body burn calories in order to keep it in the 98.6 degree temperature range. If you drink three 24-ounce glasses of ice water a day, you could burn 100 extra calories, says Mitzi Dulan, R.D., nutritionist for the Kansas City Royals and author of The Pinterest Diet. If you do this everyday, those calories add up to a loss of 10 pounds over the course of a year! [bctt tweet="3 Drinks That Are More Effective Than Lemon Water For Weight Loss"]
3. Green tea
Green tea is naturally calorie free drink that helps you to burn fat and lose weight. In one study, participants who drank 4 cups of green tea each day for 2 months, lost 6 more pounds than those who just drank water. In 2013, an analysis from the European Journal of Nutrition, found that regular green tea drinkers weigh less and have smaller waists. Scientist speculate that it is the combination of caffeine and the antioxidants, known as catechins, that have this impact on the body. You are best sticking to hot, fresh brewed tea with nothing added. Store bought bottled teas tend to be loaded with sugar and contain fewer antioxidants. You should also be careful with green tea supplements as they are currently unregulated and have been known to cause liver damage in some individuals.
As mentioned before, it is important to maintain a healthy, balanced
diet while sipping these helpful drinks. If you are looking for a no
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Source: Women's Health
