When it comes to health, the internet is full of conflicting advice about the latest fad diets to shed pounds. Surprisingly, recent studies have shown that certain drinks can, in fact, work wonders for our bodies and help us to lose weight.
You probably aren’t drinking as much water as you should be…
It’s recommended we should all drink at least seven glasses of water a day! Water contains zero calories and therefore is generally go-to for anyone who is consciously trying to be a little healthier.
H20 isn’t that exciting, though. Here, we’ve rounded up all of the weird and wonderful weight loss drinks you probably don’t even know about!
Detox Drinks for Weight Loss
Mint Tea
Certain teas are great for getting rid of those pesky cravings for calorie-filled fast food and mint tea is one of them! Drink a mug of mint tea after you’ve eaten your meals and again before bed, it will keep your cravings safely at bay.
Green Tea
An acquired taste for some, drinking green tea is a wonderful way to detox after a booze-filled weekend. Add a slice of lemon to your green tea for a natural and healthy flavouring.
Coconut Water
If you have a sweet tooth, cutting out juice and fizzy drinks isn’t easy. Switch up your taste buds with a healthy, low-calorie coconut water. Be careful which brands you go for though, some are loaded with sugar!
Rooibos Tea
Grown exclusively in South Africa, rooibos tea regulates fat-storage hormones! Research has shown that it can also reduce stress hormones which trigger hunger. It’s a weight loss tea you should definitely keep in. It tastes nice too. Bonus!
Homemade Drinks for Weight Loss
The great thing about homemade weight loss drinks is that you know exactly what you’re consuming. Natural ingredients are much healthier than any potentially dangerous chemicals you could be putting into your body with over the counter weight loss drinks.
Recipe #1 Honey, Lemon Juice, Ginger Juice
Mix one glass of lukewarm water with:
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp ginger juice
- 1 tbsp honey
Why?
If you are looking for weight loss drinks that work, honey is great for cutting extra fats and has been associated with lots of health benefits. Lemon is a go-to ingredient for weight loss and ginger juice boosts metabolism, It’s winning combination.
Recipe #2 Cabbage, Carrot, Pear Juice
How to make it:
Blend ½ of chopped cabbage with ½ cup of pear juice and ¼ cup of chopped carrots. Add a pinch of salt and pepper for a refreshing detox drink twice a week.
Why?
Cabbage juice is great for the liver which in turn cleanses the body of all its toxins. Pears add the essential pectins which feed off water retention and aids digestion.
Recipe #3 Tomatoes, Black Pepper, Honey
What you need:
Blend two ripe tomatoes in a filter and add two teaspoons of honey and a pinch of black pepper. Drink first thing in the morning. Add a pinch of cumin powder for an optional spicy kick.
Why?
Tomatoes are the key ingredient in this homemade weight loss drink. They are up there with the best of foods for fat-busting. Packed with vitamin C, phytonutrients and antioxidants, they are great all round. Cumin helps keep blood sugar levels stable.
Protein Drinks for Weight Loss
Protein shakes are an increasingly popular drink choice for people who want to lose weight. They can be mixed with water at home or bought already pre-mixed. Protein shakes are fast becoming the go-to diet drinks for weight loss and it’s for good reason.
How do protein shakes help you lose weight?
- Increasing Metabolism
- Decreasing Hunger and Appetite
- Preventing Muscle Loss
1. Whey Protein
This dairy-based protein is quickly absorbed and contains all the essential amino acids.
2. Hemp Protein
High in essential omega-3 and omega-6 fats but not as high in amino acid lysine.
3. Casein Protein
Slowly absorbed, this dairy-based protein contains all essential amino acids.
4. Soy Protein
This protein contains all the essential amino acids as well as soy isoflavones, which are associated with health benefits.
Homemade Weight Loss Shakes
A top tip for when making your own homemade weight loss shakes is to use non-dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk. These are flavoured waters which contain much fewer calories than dairy.
1#Almond Milk and Egg White Powder Shake
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces of almond milk
- 1 scoop of egg white powder
- 1 cup of ice cubes
Method:
Blend together the almond milk, egg white powder and ice cubes for a couple of minutes. After this, the low-calorie shake is good to go!
2# Strawberry Avocado Shake
Ingredients:
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- Low-fat yoghurt
- 1 cup of ice cubes
Method:
This homemade weight loss shake is super tasty and easy to make. Blend the avocado chunks, frozen strawberries and low-fat yoghurt for one minute. Add ice cubes and blend for a further one minute. Enjoy!
#3 Tropical Fruit Shake
Ingredients:
- 2 mangos, chopped
- 10 chunks of pineapple
- Low-fat yoghurt
- 1 tbsp flaxseed
Method:
Filled with protein and fibre, this weight loss shake is a refreshing, fruity drink that is great first thing in the morning.
Why not have a go at cutting fat with these fantastic weight loss drinks that work! Whether you prefer diet protein shakes or natural, homemade ingredients, it’s a simple way to lose weight without putting in much effort or having to hit the gym!