Drinks That Help You Lose Weight

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 · 4 min read

Drinks That Help You Lose Weight

When you're trying to keep the extra weight off, what you drink matters a lot more than what you might think. Calories are much easier to consume in liquid form, and any drinks that have calories are going to hinder your weight loss efforts quite dramatically. The more calories that you consume in liquid form, the harder it will be for you to lose weight, and it can be very easy to add several hundred calories to your diet per week if you aren't careful with what you drink. If you want to lose weight fast, try some of these drinks which are alternatives to unhealthy drink options and can help you avoid the fat gain from empty calories.

Drinks that help you lose weight  #1 - Water

It may seem obvious but water is one of the best drinks for weight loss because it has no calories or additives. When you're trying to lose weight you should drink as much water as you can. You'll ideally want to drink just water if at all possible, but if you do drink anything else with your meals stick to other low calorie or zero calorie drinks that are natural. One option is to try sparkling water or flavored water if you aren't a huge fan of plain water, just remember that some of the additives in some brands of flavored water can make it more difficult for you to lose weight and cause other potential side effects.

Weight Loss Drink #2 - Black Coffee

Coffee is a proven weight loss drink because of the effect of caffeine. Caffeine is a known appetite suppressant and it can help you get through the parts of your day when you can't eat. It can provide you with a boost of energy without having to eat, but you shouldn't become overly reliant on caffeine because it can also cause other side effects like adrenal fatigue which can cause you to overeat when you do actually get to sit down and have a meal. Coffee has one of the highest concentrations of caffeine compared to other drinks which is why it is such an effective weight loss drink; just remember to avoid adding sweeteners or additives to it.

Weight Loss Drink #3 - Green Tea

Green tea has caffeine like coffee which is why it's one of the best weight loss drinks, and it can definitely suppress your appetite slightly. But it also has compounds that increase thermogenesis which in turn helps you burn more fat. Green tea is proven to help increase fat loss and improve rates of fat burning when consumed even in moderation. The antioxidants in green tea help the body burn excess fat, particularly a compound called EGCG which has been shown to boost metabolism in several different studies. The weight loss benefits of green tea may also be obtainable through supplements, but drinking it in liquid form can also be convenient and it will have the same health benefits and metabolism boosting effects.

Weight Loss Drink #4 - Stevia Flavored Soda

Soda is a popular drink but unfortunately the majority of brands are flavored with high fructose corn syrup which is by far one of the worst sweeteners for your health and a major cause of weight gain. Stevia flavored soda has become one of the best healthy soda replacements and there are now dozens of different brands available. If you have a craving for soda and can't seem to get it out of your diet no matter how hard you try, look at trying one of the stevia flavored soda brands. Just be sure that there are no artificial sweeteners or other sweeteners added into it which can ruin the drink and make it less healthy for you.

Weight Loss Drink #5 - Organic Skim Milk

Organic skim milk is one of the best weight loss drinks because it is high in protein while being low in carbohydrates. Try to find organic milk which is much better for you and won't have antibiotics or other compounds that can cause health problems. It's also a great source of vitamin D and calcium which is important for maintaining lean muscle as you lose weight. Also be sure to avoid adding syrup or sweeteners; although some people say that chocolate milk is a good post workout drink, as one example, it's not a good idea to drink it when you're trying to lose weight because of the sugar content. Just plain organic skim milk is the best option.

Weight Loss Drink #6 - Vegetable Juice

You'll need to be careful about what type of vegetable juice that you drink because some types are higher in carbohydrates than others; for example carrot juice is very high in sugar and comparable to a lot of fruit juices. However, drinks made with kale, celery, parsley and other high fiber fruits can be a great option for a weight loss drink. Instead of buying a store brand like V8 you should make your own fresh vegetable juice with organic vegetables, and use vegetables that are naturally high in fiber and that have a low glycemic index like tomatoes, spinach, kale, and other vegetables. Avoid starchy vegetables and vegetables that are higher in sugar content when you're trying to make vegetable juice for weight loss

Weight Loss Drink #7 - Smoothies

Smoothies can definitely help you lose weight, but as previously discussed on this blog you need to be extremely careful with what you put into them. The best option is to make your own weight loss smoothies using your own ingredients and making them yourself. Don't rely on store bought smoothies or smoothies from a restaurant because the ingredients are often high in carbohydrates. If you use your own organic ingredients and whey protein and yogurt, you can make delicious and high quality weight loss smoothies that can make it a lot easier for you to lose weight. Make sure that your smoothies are low in simple carbohydrates and add protein to them in the form of whey protein, pea protein or Greek yogurt, and use low carb fruits and vegetables as ingredients.

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.