Some Beverages Contain Lot of Calories

15/12/06 Liquid calories go down so easily that it is easy to drink several hundred calories without even noticing that you have had the calorie equivalent of an entire meal. During the holiday season when you are trying to save calories for all the special foods you want to eat, paying attention to what you drink may keep you from breaking the calorie bank.

How many calories do you drink?

If your beverages for the day include 8 ounces of juice (120 calories), a 14-ounce Dunkaccino (320 calories), a large soda (400 calories) and a 12-ounce sports drink (100 calories), you have consumed approximately 940 calories. For all the calories these beverages contain, they do not give a feeling of fullness. As a result, you are not likely to compensate for the 940 calories you drank by eating 940 calories less from food.

Studies show that about 20 percent of the calories in the American diet come from soda, juice and juice drinks, sports drinks and specialty coffees and teas. It seems likely that the increase in obesity is partially related to the increase in liquid calories over the past 20 years.

How large are your beverage portions?

Many years ago, soda was sold in 8-ounce bottles. Today, soda portions range from a 12-ounce can to 40-ounce or more in supersized servings.

At 12 calories or more an ounce, drinking caloric beverages can be a real problem if you are concerned about your weight. Even milk, which is a nutritious beverage to serve at meals and snacks, becomes a problem when purchased as flavored milk in pint containers containing 320 calories.

How can you limit your calories from beverages?

* Order coffee with low-fat milk instead or creamer.

* Use fat-free or sugar-free flavored creamers.

* Choose beverages sweetened with sugar substitutes.

* Cut the calories from fruit juice by adding club soda or water.

* Drink vegetable juices instead of fruit juices and fruit drinks.

* Drink low-fat milk.

* Try flavored water or add lemon juice to water.

* Reduce the portions of caloric beverages (no supersizing!).

* If you drink sugared soda, use plenty of ice.

For a tasty treat to serve with a cup of coffee, tea or milk, try the Carrot Spice Muffin recipe.