Slim down by cutting back on liquid calories

Reporter: Dr Peter Elton, Director of Public Health NHS Bury
Date online: 15 April 2009

Have you considered it might not be what’s on your plate, but what’s in your glass that is causing you to gain weight or sabotage your slimming efforts?

Medical research shows that children who quench their thirst with sugary, fizzy drinks put on more weight than those who choose diet versions, and the same can also be said for adults. In fact, everyday drinks could be bumping up your calorie intake considerably without you even realising it. Simply avoiding sugar sweetened drinks could make a big difference to the health of you and your family.

To maintain a healthy weight a man needs around 2,500 calories per day and a woman needs 2,000 calories provided they are doing a reasonable amount of physical activity. Almost half of the people in Bury exceed their daily calorie intake and as a result are currently overweight or obese. Making changes to what you drink can help you slim down whilst also lowering the risk of developing weight related health problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

So next time you are thirsty, ask yourself if you could make a simple calorie-cutting swap. Why not:

Drink water or squash with no added sugar.
Opt for a 150ml glass of unsweetened fruit juice to contribute to one of your FIVE A DAY. 
Add low-calorie sweetener instead of sugar to your hot drinks. 
Choose skimmed or semi-skimmed milk rather than full fat.
Try a cup of green or herbal tea.
Go for a sugar-free version of your usual fizzy drink.

Cutting down on your alcohol intake will also make a difference to your waistline and improve your overall health. A 125ml glass of wine contains about 100 calories as does a double gin (before adding mixers). A pint of beer has over 170 calories and an alcopop can contain over 200 calories.

If you would like to know more about how to lose weight or live a healthier lifestyle our Health Trainers are on hand to give advice on healthy eating and how to increase your physical activity via the Healthy Weight Management Group. To receive more detailed information give them a call on 0845 071 0699.