Introduction
As you age, your body changes and so should your diet. After 40, it’s important to pay attention to your eating habits and make sure you’re getting the right nutrients to stay healthy. But it’s not just what you eat that matters, it’s also what you drink. Dietitians say there are certain drinking habits to avoid for a lean body after 40. From sugary drinks to alcohol, here are the drinks to avoid and what to replace them with for a healthier lifestyle.
Drinking Habits to Avoid for a Lean Body After 40, Say Dietitians
As you age, your body changes and so should your drinking habits. After 40, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re drinking and how much you’re drinking in order to maintain a lean body. Dietitians recommend avoiding certain drinking habits in order to stay healthy and fit.
1. Avoid Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, and sweetened teas are full of empty calories and can lead to weight gain. Dietitians recommend avoiding these drinks and opting for healthier alternatives like water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water with a splash of juice.
2. Limit Alcohol Intake
Alcohol can be high in calories and can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess. Dietitians recommend limiting your alcohol intake to one or two drinks per day. If you do choose to drink, opt for lower calorie options like light beer or wine.
3. Avoid High-Calorie Cocktails
High-calorie cocktails like margaritas, daiquiris, and pina coladas are full of sugar and can lead to weight gain. Dietitians recommend avoiding these drinks and opting for lower calorie options like vodka and soda or a glass of wine.
4. Avoid Juices and Smoothies
Although juices and smoothies may seem like a healthy option, they can be high in sugar and calories. Dietitians recommend avoiding these drinks and opting for water or unsweetened tea instead.
5. Avoid Diet Sodas
Although diet sodas may seem like a healthier option, they can still be high in artificial sweeteners and chemicals. Dietitians recommend avoiding these drinks and opting for water or unsweetened tea instead.
By following these tips, you can maintain a lean body after 40 and stay healthy and fit. Remember to be mindful of what you’re drinking and how much you’re drinking in order to stay healthy.
Sometimes when we try to lose weight, we don’t always get the results we hope for. But it’s not always because of obvious problems. If you’re in your 40s and have been trying to lose weight for quite some time but keep hitting roadblocks, there may be some underlying reasons that you’re not aware of yet.
For instance, even when you exercise regularly and change around your diet, small choices throughout the day can still hinder your progress. These habits can be harmful to your process because they can easily go unnoticed. That’s why we talked with a few experts to get their take on some of the drinking habits you may want to avoid to get a lean body after 40.
Continue reading to learn about drinking habits to stay away from when you’re trying to lose weight. And for more healthy eating tips, make sure to check out 7 Healthiest Foods on the Planet.
There’s nothing wrong with putting some delicious creamer into your morning cup of coffee, but registered dietitian Sarah Williams, MS, RD warns that it can quickly pack on the calories.
“Coffee creamers can be a hidden source of excess calories for many people, and I’ve had clients discover they were getting over 200 calories each day from coffee creamer without realizing it,” says Williams, “so instead, I recommend adding a tablespoon of half and half (which has about 20 calories) and using something like stevia as a sweetener.”
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Alcohol in moderation is usually okay for your health. In fact, some studies have suggested that moderate consumption of red wine (one glass per day) can have positive benefits on your heart health. And many “Blue Zone” parts around the world, areas where the average lifespan is longer, partake in drinking wine on a daily basis.
However, registered dietitian Lindsey DeSoto, RDN, LD, owner of The Dietitian Momma warns that it is far too easy to go past a “moderate amount,” which can negatively impact your health goals.
“The typical glass of wine or beer can contain around 160 calories, and this can easily lead to consuming an extra few hundred calories and unwanted weight gain,” says DeSoto, “and even low-calorie options can impact your body composition because when you consume alcohol, your body uses it as a source of energy before fat or carbohydrates, which leads to excess storage of lipids and glucose, ultimately being stored as extra fat.”
Drinking excess amounts of sugar is of the quickest ways to get off your weight loss track. In fact, a study published in Circulation found that sugar-sweetened beverages (think sodas and sugary processed juices) were directly linked to excess fat around the belly.
“Drinks with excess sugar also cause blood sugar spikes and can contribute to feelings of unnecessary hunger,” says registered dietitian Morgyn Clair, MS, RDN, an author at Fit Healthy Momma, “and some of the worst choices are things like margaritas, piña coladas, and cocktails made with heavy syrup and regular soda.”
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It may be tempting to switch over to diet sodas to avoid the added sugar, but studies, unfortunately, show that these most likely won’t help your weight loss goals either.
“Despite having zero calories and sugar, overconsumption of diet drinks can prevent you from having a lean body because artificial sweeteners found in diet sodas can lead to food cravings and excess calorie intake,” says DeSoto, “and a study from earlier this year found that diet drinks made with the artificial sweetener sucrose can cause an increase in appetite and cravings for high-calorie foods in people who are obese.”
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