Ruthie’s Step 42… Drinking and dieting!

Ruthie’s Step 42… Drinking and dieting!
With help from an article.
Soda: Sugar is one of the main reasons soda is unhealthy, especially if you are trying to lose weight. It’s filled with empty calories. A 12-ounce serving contains more than 110 calories and around 8-10 teaspoons of sugar! Another problem is its caffeine content, which acts as a diuretic.

Whole milk: Milk can be great for you, packed with all kinds of nutrients, helping to build strong bones. Whole milk (also called vitamin D) however is quite fattening.

Alcohol: Everyone knows about the beer belly, but did you realize mixed drinks are loaded with calories and can hurt your diet plans. Aside from damaging the liver, alcohol causes dehydration. That is part of the reason why, after a night out on the town, your body is aching the next morning; your muscles are craving water to rehydrate themselves. Alcohol also inhibits the absorption of nutrients. Lastly, alcohol interferes with the metabolism of fat.


Coffee: Many people drink coffee for its caffeine, which in fact robs your body of hydration and makes it difficult to absorb vitamins. Caffeine affects bone health and hinders calcium intake. Plus, it’s addictive. If you absolutely must drink a cup to get yourself started for the day, combat this by also drinking an extra glass of water.

Some Better choices!

Tomato Juice (V8): It’s jam-packed with vitamins and minerals and tastes great. A good source of vitamins A, C and E, it also has a good amount of both calcium and potassium. For those concerned about their salt intake, it comes in a low-sodium version as well. For those of you who struggle to eat the recommended number of veggies, this is an easy way to consume one serving.

Green Tea: A great way to start the day instead of coffee, or even black tea, with greater nutritional benefits. Full of antioxidants, green tea actually helps to fight against heart disease and high cholesterol. It also helps to boost the immune system. Unlike coffee, green tea is not a diuretic and will not leave you dehydrated.

Smoothies: Fruit smoothies are packed with all kinds of nutritional goodies when made correctly. No need for ice cream and its sugar; frozen fruit provides a healthy and very sweet taste to your drink. Throw in fresh seasonal fruit and try out different flavors of yogurt to your favorite smoothie.


Skim milk: This also is full of vitamin D, and of course calcium and protein. The big difference is its lower fat content. We all know that milk builds up strong bones.
Water: It helps our bodies survive, by controlling body temperature and flushing out toxins. The more hydrated your body is, the more effectively your metabolism will be able to function.
Keep on keeping on……making better choices for a healthier you!