ALWAYS COLA
Even if it is caffeine-free, cola is full of chemicals that are not what the human body was designed to consume. The caramel colour when metabolised has end products of insulin resistance and diabetes down the line. The phosphorus contained in carbonated beverages leaches calcium out of your bones. My advice to everyone is to avoid soft drinks, even the diet and caffeine free varieties.
FRUIT JUICES
Drinking fruit juices can really pack on the pounds. Yes it contains vitamins, but it is highly caloric and has no fibre to slow down the absorption of the natural sugar it contains. It’s much preferable to eat a piece of fruit.
SPORT DRINKS
Sport drinks are another beverage to beware of. Many of them are full of sugar and calories.
BOOZE!
While there is significant evidence that alcohol can protect against disease and red wine in particular, because of the antioxidants it contains, I can’t just say yes unconditionally.
Alcohol abuse can still lead to all sorts of complications such as heart diseases, obesity, increase in cholesterol levels etc.
If you don’t have contraindications to alcohol and do not have cardiovascular risk factors including high cholesterol, it’s fine to have a daily glass of red wine for health reasons. In general, women should limit themselves to one drink a day, men to two.
COFFEE
Caffeine is a natural diuretic, so it’s tempting to go on a caffeine spree and, between trips to the bathroom, watch the numbers on the scale go down. Many diet pills contain caffeine, surprise, surprise! This kind of reducing is illusory, however, and the risks of too much caffeine outweigh the reward of temporary weight loss.
Caffeine has mild oestrogenic effects, exacerbating PMS symptoms and fibrocystic breast disease. Too much caffeine can interfere with calcium and iron absorption, and can raise blood pressure, making it particularly dangerous for people with hypertension.
TEA
Tea is a great alternative to coffee – it contains far less caffeine, and the black and green are full of antioxidants. It is also rich in manganese, which is essential for bone growth, fluoride, which strengthens teeth, and potassium, which is critical for heart health. Green tea may help protect against infection with the influenza virus.
WATER!!!!
If there is one thing that comes closest to melting away fat, its water. In addition to all of the wonderful things it does – helping to maintain body temperature, toning muscles and skin, transporting nutrients throughout the body, aiding metabolic reactions on the cellular level, relieving constipation, lubricating joints and eyes, flushing out waste, and preventing kidney stones – water is an suppressant that helps the body break down stored fat.
IF YOU ASK ME, WATER ALWAYS COMES OUT ON TOP!
STOP SNACKING!
I believe snacking is a habit that can have dangerous consequences when it comes to fat loss. Recommended diets and Personal Trainers will advice you to feed your body every couple of hours. If you’re not careful, you can really rack up the calories this way. It’s far better to eat complete, satisfying meals three times a day and spend the rest of your time living your life, not thinking about food.
Strategies to avoid snacking:
Keep yourself busy. As long as you’re busy, you’re not hungry, but the minute you stop, you’re starving.
Avoid the kitchen. Empty you house full of temptations. It is easier to stay away from bad foods if you just don’t keep them in your home. Keep yourself busy elsewhere.
Don’t watch commercials. Even if I’ve had an enormous meal, when I sit down to watch television and a commercial comes on for some fantastic –looking juicy burger, I’m instantly famished. Instead of watching commercials, make a phone call, wash the dishes, or even to some crunches.
Fool your mouth. Suck on a toothpick or chew sugar free gum.
Drink a glass of water. If you think you’re hungry between meals, first try drinking water. More often than not, what you interpreted as hunger was really thirst, and your “hunger” will be satisfied.
