Nowadays, we can pile on the calories -and the pounds- without eating a thing. It’s easier than ever these days thanks to an abundance of sodas, sugar-laden coffees, alcoholic beverages and cocktails, deceiving “energy” drinks, and an array of flavoured iced cappuccinos.
We’ve pretty much all been guilty (I know I have) of occasionally allowing ourselves “just a few” spoonfuls of ice cream straight from the tub, only to peer down into the container and see that three quarters of the thing is gone.
Then there’s the movie theatre. We have been conditioned to feel the ‘need’ for popcorn and soda the second we enter a cinema. I find what works best for me if I am watching my weight is to avoid the snacks altogether, and focus on enjoying the movie itself. If I am thirsty, I’ll have a bottle of water or some kind of unsweetened iced tea. Chances are, if I’m avoiding the salty snacks, I don’t really feel the need to drink anything anyway. And besides, who wants to miss scenes of a good movie for bathroom breaks?
Forget those calorie packed iced drinks. Those things are completely filled with syrups intended to provide flavour, which are really just hiking up the calories and spiking your blood sugar. A regular coffee -iced- with a bit of skim milk and a pinch of sugar (I try to avoid sweeteners) - can provide the same caffeine fix without all the added junk. You can even blend it to make it into your own low-calorie iced cap. I am totally aware that this won’t taste the same as the commercial stuff, but if you are looking to lose some weight it could be a satisfying substitute for the time being. Tell yourself that those drinks will always be there in the future, that they aren’t going anywhere. You need to focus on your health and weight right now.
Now let’s bash energy drinks. If you are planning on losing weight, these are not your friend. They’re poison for your body and will only stall your progress. I am always so frustrated when I see those energy drinks sold right up front in the convenience stores. The horrifying truth about energy drinks is that they flood your system with ludicrous amounts of caffeine and sugar, pumping you up for a couple of hours, and then leaving your system completely out of whack. It’s like putting your blood sugar on the Drop Zone ride at an amusement park. Not to be a Debbie-Downer, but there have been instances of heart complications, and even failure, after consuming these drinks. Not to mention they can become toxic when mixed with alcohol. For truly sustainable energy, choose fresh fruit or some kind of protein.
Hitting the bars too often? Those ‘wasted’ nights could be accumulating on your waist. It’s so easy to consume excess calories during a night out at the bar or club. One shot of pure tequila, vodka, or rum will range from 90 to 100 calories each. Mixed drinks can reach a caloric total of over 400, what a nightmare!!
Last, but certainly not least, we have the trendy “healthy” commercial fruit smoothies. These smoothies may contain real fruit, but let me tell you, they are milkshakes in disguise. I took a look at the nutritional values listed on a menu at one of the smoothie shops. They can total up to 500 calories a container! They’re also packed with excess sugars and proteins. They’re advertised as healthy additions to your diet, but they may in fact be sabotaging your efforts. A healthier option is to blend whole fruits with ice in a blender, and if you would like some protein you can add a scoop of whey powder or yogurt. This ensures you are not drinking any processed foods or consuming excess calories.
These are only a few examples of how calories sneakily creep up on us in liquid form. Keep your eyes open when reading labels, checking calorie AND sugar content, as both are equally important. Don’t freak out over it, just remember to choose wisely. As the age-old adage reminds us: “If you’re going to drink the juice, just eat the fruit instead.”
Leanna
