Beverages are an afterthought during a meal, something you grasp for a caffeinated, reviving, and refreshing pick-me-up. However, what you choose to drink—or abstain from drinking—and how frequently and in what quantity you consume specific beverages can have significant and far-reaching effects on your health, which you should be aware of. Specific imbibing patterns can contribute to weight gain.
Consuming alcohol in excess may result in weight gain over Time. Substance abuse may stimulate the release of hormones that indicate hunger, appetite, and tension. Additionally, alcohol is abundant in calories but devoid of health-promoting nutrients.
11 Drinking Habits Making You Gain Weight
Certain drinking behaviors may contribute to an increased intake of calories and sugar beyond one’s initial awareness. Consequently, they may be contributing to your weight gain. As a result, we consulted with three dietitians who provided us with essential information regarding drinking practices that contribute to weight gain.
1. Drinking Sweetened Tea
Some teas can alleviate nausea, reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and even extend one’s lifespan. Conversely, excessively saccharine or hot tea containing sugar may be detrimental rather than beneficial.
Tea, a beverage with an extensive cultural heritage spanning numerous centuries, is savored by a vast global audience. Although sweeteners are not commonly added to traditional tea, many prefer the soothing flavor of sweetened tea.
Whether iced or not, it has gained significant popularity among individuals who desire a pleasurable and confectionery addition to their tea ritual. This investigation examines the advantages and disadvantages of consuming sweetened tea, considering the potential health risks and the delights it provides.
2. Choosing Sugary, Flavored Coffee
When you next visit Starbucks, you should order a relatively low-calorie beverage instead of occasionally flavored coffee with added sugar, which dietitians consider the worst drinks on the menu. “Flavored coffee has a chance to cause quick weight gain,” according to Chenard. While she does mention that “one ‘pump’ of flavor, such as caramel, vanilla, or peppermint, typically contains about 20 calories (of added sugar),” certain syrups contain even more.
“Many drinks served at famous coffee shops will add two to 8 pumps of flavor, adding up to a huge 160 calories of added sugar to start the day (which is arguably the worst time to get that much-added sugar in your system),” Chenard informs us. Not to mention the fact that “gaining a half-pound per week requires only an additional 250 calories per day; that equates to 2 pounds in a month.”
3. Choosing The Wrong Water Enhancements
Water is an indispensable element of a healthy lifestyle, serving as a fundamental component for hydration and overall well-being. Although the significance of purifying water is widely acknowledged, specific individuals supplement their daily consumption with water enhancers to impart flavor or nutritional value. Nevertheless, selecting the correct water enhancements may result in unforeseen consequences.
Chenard warns, “Drinking enhanced water can be a risky endeavor.” “Whether natural or not, liquid calories hit us hard and fast and can be a tremendous energy drain, leading us to believe that more ‘enhanced’ beverages are all we need!” Ensure that you always read the label. It’s a marketing ploy to deceive us with images, colors, and fonts that give the impression of healthiness; no more.
That does not imply that it is beneficial or wholesome. You should examine the ingredients list, calories per serving, added carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber content. “Even if there are no added sugars, adding zero-calorie sweeteners is counterproductive and may cause further postponement of your health and weight loss endeavors!”
4. Drinking Sports Drinks
Sports drinks are an additional beverage option that promotes health. Nonetheless, individuals who do not engage in strenuous physical activity or are not athletes may find them unsuitable for placement on store shelves.
Chenard states, “The initial function of sports drinks was to restore electrolytes lost through sweat before, during, and after physical exertion (e.g., playing football outdoors in Florida).” It is unlikely that consuming sports beverages in the basement while playing video games or when you do not need them will benefit your health. “Sugar is necessary for proper hydration and to help transport electrolytes into cells; therefore, ‘sugar-free’ sports drinks are not practical for the average person or athlete.”
Consider that a 12-ounce cola contains approximately 39 grams of sugar, whereas a sports drink typically has at least 21 grams.
5. Drinking Sugary Fruit Juice
Fruit juice may appear nutritious for individuals seeking to lose weight, but Burdeos argues that “sugary drinks can stimulate the appetite.” “Consistent consumption of sugary foods and beverages, including beverages, can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels,” she explains. It is the collapses that induce feelings of hunger. Additionally, individuals who routinely consume these sugary products will experience an increased appetite for food compared to when their blood sugar levels are more stable.
Chenard emphasizes that consuming fruit juice is inferior to consuming raw or frozen fruit. She further observes, “They are not identical.” Due to the absence of fiber, fruit juice is comparable in sugar content to a beverage. “If weight management is important to you, consume the fruit rather than the juice.”
6. Needing More Protein In Your Smoothies
Smoothies can benefit one’s health if the proper ingredients are utilized. Granted, Chenard points out that “low-protein smoothies, which is most of what you’ll find out there, or make at home, can be harmful to our bodies because we end up consuming too much sugar at once, without a proper ratio of healthy fat and protein, which our corpses can’t handle/can’t metabolize efficiently.” “This causes an excess of sugar in the blood, which is problematic,” she explains. More water, including simple water, is also a concern.
“Moderate protein is necessary to develop lean muscles and improve satiety while losing fat,” according to Gervacio. “There is nothing inherently unhealthy about consuming low-protein smoothies; alternative protein sources include other meals.” On the other hand, a lack of protein may result in weight gain due to an increased appetite.
7. Drinking Soda
“Soda has a lot of added sugar, which contributes to calories and enhances appetite,” according to Gervacio. Additionally, she adds that “a 12-ounce portion provides about 150 calories with 37 grams of sugar—and lacks protein or fiber.”
“Regular consumption of sugary beverages can result in insulin resistance,” Burdeos explains. “Impaired insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation by the body characterize this condition.” This may result in increased fat storage in the body, which ultimately contributes to weight gain.
8. Regularly Consuming Too Much Alcohol
A beverage that is extensively consumed, alcohol has been an integral part of human culture for centuries. Consensus exists that moderate alcohol consumption is permissible; in fact, it has been linked to specific health benefits in some instances. However, excessive alcohol consumption regularly can result in severe adverse effects.
Additionally, Chenard explains that alcohol “stresses out the entire system, and because it is a toxin, it is metabolized first; therefore, you are severely impeding your body’s ability to function, let alone consider weight loss.” Alcohol, which contains 7 calories per gram, accumulates calorically more rapidly than fat and is nearly twice as dense in calories as proteins and carbohydrates.
9. Drinking High-Calorie Beer
Failure to order a low-calorie beer may result in adverse effects on one’s health and weight, notwithstanding one’s best efforts to maintain a reasonable consumption of alcoholic beverages. “Drinking high-calorie beer—it all adds up,” says Chenard. It is vital to assess your calorie budget consistently. The seven calories per gram of alcohol rapidly add up!
10. Enjoying Sugary Cocktails
Your preferred alcoholic beverage might not be more health-conscious than a beer loaded with calories. According to Gervacio, cocktails contain calories due to the added sugar. Additionally, they have alcohol, which can cause weight gain, as previously explained. It is also well-known that alcohol stimulates the appetite, leading to an excess of food consumed.
11. Not Drinking Enough Water
“When you drink less water, in particular, you may be experiencing thirst,” according to Burdeos. “Also, it is not unusual to mistake thirst for appetite, which could lead to overeating rather than adequately hydrating oneself. Preventing oneself from consuming water until thirsty is an indication of mild dehydration. The thirst sensations of the organism are delayed.”
You should also be aware that problems may arise if you do not consume sufficient water. “Insufficient water intake disrupts the body’s ostensibly normal electrolyte balance,” explains Gervacio.
Recognizing and altering imbibing patterns is vital for effective weight management. Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol and sweetened beverages both contribute to calorie consumption and impede efforts to lose weight. Promoting mindful consumption, maintaining adequate hydration with water, and opting for healthier alternatives all contribute to developing a well-rounded and enduring strategy for weight management.
Thank you for reading…..
