Lower Calorie Cocktails & Healthy Non-Alcoholic Drinks Matt Dapolito, MS Exercise Science
Body By Matt
The first thing I explain to my clients is the definition of the word “Beverage†Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from beivre to drink, from Latin bibere
Now we understand that 90% of the beverages we consume have sugar in them. First of all the body requires 64 oz. of clear water daily just to survive. That being said, the rest of our beverage consumption contains some traces of sugar, usually high amounts. So due to the high caloric intake from these drinks, it is very important to be wise when making your beverage choices.
The sugar we put in our bodies has no nutritional value. All it does is make us fat. The high sugar contents totally inhibit fat loss. It keeps your glycogen storage levels saturated, which makes it extremely difficult to lose weight regardless how healthy the food you are eating is.
When it comes to alcoholic beverages, I limit my clients to 2 nights per week that they can indulge. Indulging does not include any more than 2 alcoholic cocktails or glasses of wine in one evening.
If you are a wine drinker, I am not going to be able to convince you to drink vodka, so enjoy your two glasses of wine.  If you like the hard stuff, I highly recommend a straight up martini. If you can do two of those, you’ll be happy for the rest of the night! If you have to have an alcoholic drink which requires a mixer, use diet products, such as Diet Coke, soda water, diet tonic, etc. Stay away from the foo-foo drinks. As far as after dinner drinks, don’t even let them touch your lips – they are pure sugar.
For our non-alcoholic beverages, just remember that even though Sweet N Low, which contains saccharin, Equal which contains NutraSweet, do not have calories. They mimic insulin releases the same as sugar. Your liquid beverages should be sweetened with a sweetener that is approved for diabetic use. The brands Splenda, which is Sucralose; Stevia, which is made from plants; are approved for diabetic use and should be used. These products will not affect your insulins. These are a true zero-calorie sweetener. Â There are many diet drinks that are sweetened with Splenda, so check product labels carefully.
At the coffee shops, Starbucks or Peets, order a non-fat latte with Splenda. They do have the flavored pump sweeteners which are sweetened with Splenda, if you want to add them to your coffee drink. Make sure it says *Splenda*. The fancy designer coffee drinks are loaded with sugar and calories. Stay away from them!
Great summer drinks for all occasions include fresh brewed ice tea and lemonade with Splenda, which is a great low calorie beverage, Pellegrino bottled water with a fresh slice of orange or lemon. Stay away from fruit juices or concentrates, which also contain high levels of sugar.
One of the most important things for good health is to practice a low daily sugar consumption, and you will then be able to maintain or achieve a lean body. Make smart choices for your foods as well as beverages and keep the sugars low.
Matt Dapolito, MS Exercise Science
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