3 Drinks That Can Help You Lose Weigh fast and safely

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 8 years ago · 5 min read

We all know that fluids are an important part of a healthy diet. Fluids become even more important when you are trying to lose weight. But not all fluids are good for you when you are facing this daunting task. Sodas, many teas, and other drinks will hinder your weight loss efforts. However, on the flip side of this there are many drinks that can help you lose weight more effectively.

Water

One of the biggest things you can do to make the most impact in your weight loss is to drink plenty of water. You have probably heard this before. The more water you drink, the more toxins and fats you flush from your body. It is common that much of the weight we carry around is water weight. By flushing your system you can lose weight rapidly.

Some people think that drinking lemon water is helpful. In truth, the lemon simply gives it a bit of flavor and helps detox your body, and only minimally. Instead of getting that lemon, add some extra ice to your water. The cold water makes your body work harder to maintain its core temperature, which can help you burn up to 100 more calories per day.

If you really miss your soda pop and teas, try adding flavors to your water. You can purchase zero calorie water add ins at your grocery store. Just a few drops to an ice cold bottle of water can make you feel like you are getting a treat, when really you are drinking the best thing possible for your body. If you are bad about drinking enough water, flavoring your water in this way can make it easier and make it seem less like a chore.

Just remember to look on the nutrition facts of these flavor add ins. Don't choose ones loaded with sugar and carbohydrates. àThe Kool-Aid and Welch's add ins tend to have a lot of sugar included. If you are into really being healthy and avoiding chemicals and words you can't pronounce, you're still better off drinking just plain water.

There are different kinds of water to drink as well. Don't be fooled into thinking that drinks such as Gatorade are a replacement for water. These are very high in sugar and add many more calories than you will be able to burn. If you want something with electrolytes, there are unflavored bottles of water that offer this advantage.

For the best health, choose filtered tap water or bottled water from specific sources. Watch the sources and filtration methods on bottled water. You will be surprised at how many of them are simply tap water poured into a bottle. Unless you're big on spring water, investing in a water filter at your tap or a Britta pitcher is your best bet. You can keep your ice water cold with some very inexpensive reusable water bottles. This is easier on your wallet, and better for the environment.

Coffee

Surprisingly, coffee can help you lose weight. First, it is a diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more frequently. This can be dehydrating, but if you drink plenty of water it is beneficial. Again, it helps flush toxins and shed water weight. But coffee does more than just that.

Coffee raises your heart rate and helps you burn more calories during your workout. If you drink one to three cups of coffee before your workout you will burn more calories, and you will see results from your efforts more quickly.

The key to drinking coffee for weight loss is that you can't add much to it. You have to drink it black. At the most, add a bit of zero calorie sweetener such as Stevia to your coffee for taste. The cream, milk and sugar that most people add to their coffee adds too many calories, and does more harm than good. If you can't drink your coffee black, you shouldn't use this as a diet drink.

Green Tea

Green tea has a lot of wonderful properties, making it one of the best health drinks to consume on a regular basis and a great choice for weight loss. It has antioxidants that help you flush toxins from your system and prevent further toxins from building up. It increases your metabolism and helps you burn fat more effectively. Studies have shown that drinking green tea daily over two months can earn you an extra six pounds of weight loss.

As with drinking coffee, you have to be careful about what is in your green tea. Many of the bottled green tea that you find in the stores and convenience marts are packed with flavors and additives that make the benefits useless. Sugar, chemicals and other flavorings detract from the usefulness of green tea as a weight loss drink.

The best way to drink green tea is fresh brewed yourself. Do not add milk, honey or sugar to your green tea. If you need to have some flavor, add some no calorie Stevia. Green tea may not taste the best, but it will help you boost your weight loss.

Protein Shakes

When you feel that nag of hunger and it is hours before your next meal, it is difficult to avoid snacking. When that feeling comes around, reach for a protein shake. They are often full of nutrients, primarily protein that makes you feel more full. However, you have to be careful with these as well.

Many protein shakes are packed with sugar and carbohydrates. You have to look for the ones that will have the least impact on your calorie intake while having the most impact on your hunger. Read the nutrition facts on any protein shake you consider. SlimFast has the most sugar.

There are several organic or natural protein shake brands including the meal replacements at Nu Image Medical àwhich taste like milk but are ànot actually a milk based product. These shakes have àthe least amount of added calories and fat, but gives you a fuller feeling that will get you to your next meal without snacking on foods that are going to limit your weight loss. These shakes are a good option for weight loss àand can definitely make it easier for you to maintain a healthy weight when you consume them on a regular basis.

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.