So, you have your eyes set on a new weight loss goal. You have looked at an exercise plan and have begun thinking about changes to your diet to start losing weight. The question is, how are you going to start your day?
It turns out there is a lot to gain, or lose as the case may be, from beginning your day right. From a dietary perspective, that might mean getting something down the hatch early in the day, while still making sure you aren’t adding extra calories where you don’t need them.
One of the most common mistakes people make in any weight loss program is giving in to hunger pangs and sneaking in some calories around the edges of the new healthy diet they have planned. Finding ways to help your body feel full, especially as you start your day, can be a crucial step in helping you stick to your new diet.
Another mistake some people make is to let their metabolism slow as they eat less in an attempt to shed pounds. Research has shown that diets that prioritize keeping your metabolism higher burn more fat than those that are simply designed to lower your overall caloric intake. This is why for some people increasing the percentage of daily calories from protein can help burn fat faster than simply eating less.
It could be tempting to think you may want to skip breakfast altogether. For many people, there are greater health benefits to be found by getting your digestive day started, even if it is with a cup of warm water with lemon juice and ginger. Starting your day with something to drink may improve how your body regulates blood sugar levels, your blood pressure, and boost metabolism, especially if you have been used to a large amount of calories at the start of your day.
How are you going to get your day started right, keep your metabolism high, and maybe sneak in a little protein along the way? Enter the breakfast drink. From formulated protein shakes to humble classics like lemon water, we have pulled together a list of weight loss drinks to start your day right.
The simplest drink you can indulge in to start your day may be water itself. Drinking more water throughout the day, especially if it is cold, has been shown to improve your metabolism. As your body works to warm the cool water you have ingested, you will receive a little bump in your metabolism. It may not be much, but every little bit counts.
If plain cold water is not your thing, you can drink hot water with a variety of added ingredients, each of which have their own particular benefits. A little warm water will probably feel better on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. These concoctions will get your day started with side benefits you may be surprised by.
There are many benefits associated with drinking tea and coffee, but when it comes to weight loss, the caffeine contained in these staple drinks is the most important benefit. As a stimulant, caffeine will help boost energy levels, which demands more of your body. In many studies, participants who added green tea or coffee to their daily routine lost more weight than a control group who was consuming less caffeine. (For patients who have had a procedure such as ESG, note that caffeine should be re-introduced to your diet once cleared by your healthcare provider.)
Green tea is known to have more benefits than just keeping you awake. It has been suggested that high concentrations of catechins (an antioxidant linked to fat burning and metabolic increases) found in green tea could also bring an added weight loss benefit. This is particularly true of matcha, which has even higher concentrations of catechins than loose leaf green tea. Add to this the anti-inflammatory properties attributed to green tea and you may be asking yourself why you are not drinking it already.
Black tea is another drink that could help add a little extra power to your weight loss plans. Black tea is high in compounds known as flavonoids, which has been linked to fat loss, and to reductions in belly fat in particular. There have also been studies suggesting black tea can help increase your body's ability to break down fat and even promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Aloe Vera Juice: Packed full of vitamins A and C, aloe vera juice is widely available and a great option as a morning weight loss drink. This nutritious beverage can be found commercially, or aloe vera plants can easily be grown in your own home.
Vegetable Juice: Though the higher levels of sugar found in many fruit juices don't make them good candidates as drinks for weight loss, vegetable juice is another story. Studies have found that women who drank low sodium vegetable juice while participating in a low-calorie diet program lost more weight than those who did not. What is more, participants drinking vegetable juice found they ate fewer simple carbs and increased their overall vegetable intake.
Kokum Juice: Found across a wide stretch of Asia and Africa, kokum (or Garcinia indica) is fruit that has many different applications in both cuisine and medicines. The rind is believed to help in lipid metabolism. Soak the kokum overnight in water and then boil it the next morning.
Chaas may not be familiar to some in the United States, but this yogurt-based drink is well known throughout India. As a source of clean whey protein, this drink for weight loss is a perfect way to add a bit of protein into your day. This is especially true if you are looking for ways to increase the percentage of daily calories you get from dietary protein.
If you need more specific levels of proteins and other vitamins, dedicated protein drinks can be the way to go. These specially formulated drinks, either in powdered or liquid form, can be found in nearly any variety and flavor you need to meet your dietary needs. Some of these protein powders can be added into smoothies if you are looking for something that feels more substantial but is still designed to aid weight loss.
These are by no means the only morning drinks that can help with fat loss. Simply drinking water more often is going to help you, and the concoctions listed above may be something you will look forward to more than a plain glass of water to start your day.
These drinks are not going to be enough on their own if you are intent on burning fat. If you are adding them into a program of diet and exercise and an overall healthy lifestyle, these drinks will only help you on your weight loss journey. To fully realize your goals, you will need to consider changing not only your diet, but your lifestyle as well. The most important step you can take to ensure lasting changes are made to your waistline is to make sure you have the right people in your corner to help you make, and stick to, a plan that will help you succeed. It may also mean considering taking the next step of looking into weight loss procedures to help you reach your goals. For all of these decisions, True You Weight Loss is here to help you along the way. We can give you the guidance and expertise you need to make lasting changes. Request a consultation today to start down the road to a better, healthier life.
