[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22.3″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.0.74″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]Reaching for a cold drink usually seems like a great idea in this hot weather.  Unfortunately, many of us fail to realize how many calories and unhealthy sugars we are adding to our diet by consuming sodas, energy drinks, juice, and alcohol.

Being careful with what you drink is a crucial component of any healthy lifestyle.  This means minimizing consumption of sugary drinks and looking for healthy drinks.

Stay away from sodas:  They contain high fructose corn syrup and a large amount of sugar.  Minimize your consumption of diet sodas; consuming too much of an artificial sweetener may not be good for your body.

Avoid energy drinks: Drinks like Redbull and Monster give you an instant energy boost that is followed by a crash.  They contain more sugar and calories than is healthy to consume in a drink.  Opt for coffee as a source of energy instead.

Be careful with alcohol: Alcoholic drinks, even “light” ones, add calories to your daily consumption, sometimes more than you’d like. When you drink, your body is focused on breaking down and eliminating the alcohol in your system.  Because of this, the calories from food you’ve consumed are not broken down properly, and may be stored as fat.

Brighten up your food 

Summertime is not only a great time to enjoy the weather, but also an excellent time to enjoy summer fruits, try new, nutritious foods, and modify old favorites to make them more weight-loss friendly.

Good foods to enjoy, even when outdoors or on vacation, include:

Salads – experiment with different types of greens, nuts, and beans.  Throw in some berries or apples.  Include low-fat cheese, and dress with a low-fat dressing. Add some chicken breast and you have yourself a meal.

Fruit – Try making fruit salad for dessert when barbequing or at dinner with family and friends.  Alternatively, make fruit-based desserts to cut back on calorie/fat consumption without disappointing your sweet tooth. Examples include: Grilled bananas with low fat ice cream and grilled peaches with honey

Chilled soups – Cold soups contain lots of vegetables and are a nutritious and light way to start off your meal.

Grilled vegetables – Take advantage of the abundance of good-tasting produce this summer, and experiment with different vegetables.  Try them as a side dish, as part of a low-fat sandwich, or with pasta

Tips

When looking for a tasty way to hydrate, avoid milkshakes and smoothies high in sugar.  Try making your own delicious, nutrient filled drinks. Think along the lines of low fat frozen yogurt, lots of fruit, diet sodas (in floats), and fruit-flavored waters.

Also try some recipes in the Brandon Weight loss recipes section and some additional information on fat, sugar, and carbohydrate.

If you still feel that you an extra push to maintain your weight or lose some, seek a professional advice from a medically-supervised weight loss clinic in your area.  Our Weight Loss and Nutrition Coach should be able to give sound advice and their physicians could put you on a plan that may include injections such as Energy/B12 and fat burner/MIC shots and appetite suppressant such phentermine.[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”/free-consultation/” button_text=”FREE Consultation” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”FREE Consultation (CENTER) Button” _builder_version=”3.23.3″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#89bc40″ button_border_width=”0″ button_border_color=”#ffffff” button_font=”Open Sans||||” button_icon=”%%32%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” custom_margin=”-1px||” custom_padding=”20px||” global_module=”4359″ saved_tabs=”all” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_text_color__hover=”#ffffff” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#7e287e” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_radius__hover=”0″ button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#7e287e” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]