Experts Alert: Common Drinks May Unknowingly Increase Calorie Content by 600
Concerns about the hidden calorie consumption from popular drinks, including tea, coffee, and alcohol, are being voiced by health professionals. Drinks are frequently overlooked when people concentrate on solid foods to reduce their caloric intake. Nutritionists estimate that by choosing high-calorie drinks, the typical adult may unintentionally consume an additional 600 calories per day.
How Coffee Consumption Affects Weight Gain
Coffee has few calories by itself, but how it’s made has a big impact. While popular café variants with sugar, flavored syrups, cream, or whole milk might have 200–400 calories per cup, a basic black coffee has only 5 calories. Thus, eating several portions a day can greatly raise caloric intake overall and make weight loss more difficult.
Tea Lovers Take Note: Additives and Sugar Make a Difference
When sugar, condensed milk, or honey is added, plain green or black tea becomes a calorie-dense beverage. For instance, drinking multiple cups of traditional Indian tea with milk and sugar throughout the day quickly adds up to the 100–150 calories that a single cup might provide. Commercially available “iced teas” may also include artificial sweeteners and hidden sugars that affect weight and metabolism.
The Largest Hidden Calorie Source Is Alcohol
One of the main causes of excessive caloric intake is alcoholic beverages. A pint of beer can have 180–250 calories, a glass of wine (around 150 ml) can have 120–150 calories, and mixed cocktails can have even more, particularly when they contain sugary mixers like juice, syrups, or cola. In addition to slowing metabolism and encouraging fat accumulation, frequent social drinking, even in moderation, can result in the consumption of hundreds of useless calories every day.
Why It’s Easy to Ignore These Calories
Experts stress that because liquid calories don’t produce the same sensation of fullness as solid meals, it’s simpler to overeat without noticing. Drinking, as opposed to eating, causes the brain to continue consuming calories, increasing daily caloric intake without causing satiety. This feature is one explanation for why people who eat a diet that seems “healthy” may end up gaining weight.
How to Reduce the Calories in Hidden Beverages
Nutritionists recommend several easy strategies to cut back on calories from drinks:
- Instead of sugar-sweetened tea or coffee, choose unsweetened tea or black coffee.
- Choose lighter options, such as wine spritzers or low-calorie mixers, and limit your intake of alcohol.
- Steer clear of “healthy” beverages that are sweetened or in bottles.
- To suit your tastes, gradually cut back on the amount of cream or sugar in your beverages.
- To stay hydrated without consuming extra calories, drink more water, herbal teas, or infused water.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
