Cutting weight requires discipline, and your drink choices can have a big impact on your progress. While focusing on proper hydration and nutrition, you need to identify drinks to avoid while cutting weight. Some beverages, even those marketed as healthy, can disrupt your calorie deficit and hinder your fitness goals. Below, we’ll explore four types of drinks that could slow your progress. Eliminating these will help you get closer to the finish line.
Sugary Sports Drinks
Sports drinks may seem like a natural fit for anyone training hard, but they often contain more sugar than you need. The added sugars can spike your calorie intake without leaving you feeling full or satisfied. Stick to water or herbal tea for hydration and replenish electrolytes with whole foods like bananas or coconut water. These alternatives provide what your body needs without risking your cut.
Sugary Soda
Even though the fitness community rarely recommends soda, it’s still good to remind yourself why these drinks don’t belong on your cutting plan. A single soda can pack upwards of 150 calories, all from sugar, giving you zero nutritional value. Replace soda with naturally flavored sparkling water for those fizzy drink cravings. This calorie-free alternative satisfies you while keeping your weight loss on track.
Full-Fat Milk-Based Drinks
Milk has undeniable benefits for our bodies, from our digestive process to our bone health, but it isn’t the best option if you’re cutting. You will encounter many milk-based products that appear great for bodybuilding because of their protein content, but full-fat milk is also high in calories. And no matter what you may hear regarding the fitness benefits of raw milk, pasteurization equipment plays a key role in the dairy process and keeps consumers safe. If you need a high-protein drink, opt for unsweetened almond milk or a low-calorie protein shake alternative.
Fancy Coffee Beverages
While many use coffee as a pre-workout drink, pairing it with syrups, whipped cream, or sugar can leave you consuming hundreds of extra calories. These coffee-shop concoctions often function more like desserts than beverages, so while you’re cutting, you may want to treat them that way. Stick with black coffee or add a splash of unsweetened almond milk to enjoy your caffeine kick without sacrificing your caloric goals.
Keep Your Drinks Working With Your Goals
The beverages you choose can greatly influence your cutting success. Keep an eye out for drinks to avoid while cutting weight, and instead prioritize water, black coffee, and other low-calorie options. By focusing on balanced nutrition and hydration, you’ll stay firmly on the path to your fitness targets. Pairing these mindful drink habits with low-cost body foods that help you build muscle will push your progress even further. Keep going strong, and remember, every small choice adds up!
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