Are you struggling to lose weight? You’re not alone. More than 50 million Americans go on a diet every year. Only five percent of those dieters successfully keep the weight off, so it’s no surprise that people are searching for new ways to lose a few extra pounds.

It seems like every month a new fad diet emerges; only to be discounted soon after, and we can’t talk about dieting without mentioning the endless assortment of diet pills available. Unfortunately, those diet pills come with side effects that outweigh their benefits. It might feel like you’ve exhausted all of your weight loss options, but have you considered weight loss drinks?

What Are Drinks to Lose Weight?

Weight loss drinks are supposed to help dieters meet their weight loss goals. These drinks work in a variety of ways. Some are meant to be used as part of a detox program, while others increase your metabolism, making your body burn fat more effectively. There are also drinks that can be used as a meal replacement, helping dieters cut down on their calorie intake.

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Meal replacement shakes are one of the most popular drinks to lose weight. The shakes can be purchased at most major retailers, but many dieters choose to make their own.

Are Drinks To Lose Weight Effective?

Cathy Nonas believes meal replacement shakes can be effective when used correctly. Nonas is a registered dietician, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, and the director of the Obesity and Diabetes Program at North General Hospital in New York City. She often recommends the shakes to clients but admits there are pros and cons to using them.

Pros

  • Shakes are convenient. People often cheat on their diets because they don’t have time to prepare healthy food. Shakes solve that problem.
  • Plus, shakes have nutrients that are lacking in restricted calorie diets.
  • Shakes come in a wide array of flavors, making them perfect for satisfying cravings.

Cons 

  • Commercial shakes often contain excess sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors.
  • Relying on a bottled meal means you’ll miss out on the health benefits of whole foods.
  • Meal replacement shakes are not a substitute for exercise and a healthy diet plan.

Preparing Homemade Meal Replacement Shakes

Some of the best drinks to lose weight are homemade drinks to lose weight, and you don’t need a culinary degree to make delicious meal replacement shakes at home. One advantage of using homemade drinks to lose weight is that you know exactly what you’re putting into your body. You can use all organic and GMO-free ingredients, and there are plenty of shake recipes for vegetarians and vegans.

Commercial shakes are often lacking two of the most important ingredients in a balanced diet: protein and fiber.
To ensure you’re getting enough protein, use plain Greek yogurt or a cup of skim milk in your shake. Vegans can use mashed tofu and soy milk as a suitable substitute. Adding fruits and vegetables to your shake doesn’t just make it taste better, it also adds much-needed fiber to your diet. Raspberries, mangoes, nectarines, kale, and flax seeds are great additions to any.

Calories
When used as a meal replacement, drinks to lose weight should have between 100 and 250 calories each.

Other Drinks For Weight Loss

Shakes aren’t the only drinks to lose weight. There are lots of other options that can play an integral part in your diet

Tea 

Consider different teas when you’re searching for effective drinks to lose weight. Chinese medicine has used tea for weight loss for 5,000 years. Green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, and pu-erh tea all have reputations for being effective weight loss aids.

Herbal Drinks 

You could also try herbal drinks to lose weight. Herbal drinks are recommended for people planning to start a detox program. With flavors like cucumber mint and ginger lemon, it certainly can’t hurt.

Water 

Water is actually one of the best drinks to lose weight. Studies show that water gives your metabolism a serious boost and helps you feel full longer.

Final Thoughts

You’ve probably heard the saying “no two people are alike” before, and that holds true when it comes to dieting. You might have to try several diets before you find one that fits your situation, and that’s perfectly normal.
It’s important to remember not to get discouraged on your weight loss journey. You’re going to give in to cravings, and you’re going to want to give up. Keep telling yourself that it takes time to form new, healthy habits, but it will be worth it in the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG-G9_LOkLA

References:
https://www.livestrong.com/article/342804-statistics-on-weight-loss-programs/
https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/88/12/6015/2661518
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