Imagine being able to lose weight…just by watching what you drink?
Think about this: According to a study in the journal Obesity, liquids account for more than 20 percent (about 450 daily calories) of the American diet — and most of this involves sugar. Another study from the University of Minnesota demonstrated that added sugars are directly linked to weight gain.
But this is actually good news! A third study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that cutting liquid calories resulted in greater weight loss than cutting food calories. Translation: all you need to do is make some smart swaps, and start shedding extra pounds!
So to feel cooler, and look hotter, just follow the below tips:
7. Worst Water
Vitaminwater Multi-V (1 bottle, 20 oz)
125 calories
0 g fat
33 g sugars
As long as companies continue to sell multivitamin pills and your sink’s faucet keeps spitting out tap water, you have no excuse to ever uncap one of these faux health drinks. This bottle has more sugar than a Snickers bar, so if you must indulge, opt for something from Vitaminwater’s calorie-free Zero line.
Better Water
Glaceau Smartwater (1 bottle, 24 oz)
0 calories
0 g fat
0 g sugars
This water contains electrolytes, which can help keep you hydrated when you’re sweating out in the sun.
6. Worst Soda
Sunkist (1 can, 12 oz)
190 calories
0 g fat
50 g sugars
Soda is one of the more popular sources of liquid calories in the American diet. It doesn’t even bother with the pretense of nutrition—it’s pure sugar, plain and simple. But among the throngs of terrible sodas, Sunkist is one of the worst.
Better Soda
Izze Sparkling Clementine (1 bottle, 12 oz)
120 calories
0 g fat
27 g sugars
70 percent of this bottle is filled with real fruit juice, completely eliminating the need for added sugars. It’s still not as healthy as real fruit, but it’s a sizable upgrade from carbonated high fructose corn syrup.
RELATED: Sugary Drinks Could be Linked to Colon Cancer in Younger Patients
5. Worst Bottled Tea
SoBe Energize Green Tea (1 bottle, 20 oz)
240 calories
0 g fat
61 g sugars
Leave it to an “edgy” American beverage company to corrupt green tea, a natural wonder of the nutritional world. SoBe’s product is merely a saccharine simulation of green tea, with “natural flavor” preceding “green tea extract” on the nutrition label. Gulp down one of these bottles and you’ve taken in the sugar equivalent of seven Popsicles.
Better Bottled Tea
Honest Tea Community Green Tea (1 bottle, 16 oz)
34 calories
0 g fat
10 g sugars
It has more than 80 percent less sugar and uses organic, fair trade green tea.
4. Worst Lemonade
Orange Julius Lemon Julius (medium, 20 oz)
360 calories
0 g fat
94 g sugars
If you were drinking straight lemon juice, you could tip back 15 cups, or 120 fluid ounces, and still not