If you’re looking to trim down for summer, be sure you add plentiful amounts of these slimming ingredients for summer drinks to your diet. There’s nothing better than sipping on something sweet and cool in the summertime, right? Well just like hot drinks can be rich in calories during the winter, cold drinks can also be a calorie culprit in the summer if you’re not careful. Smoothies, cocktails, and anything fruity are often full of sugar, which means empty calories. Instead of drinking your way to weight gain, sip your way to a slender waistline instead. Just replace sugary ingredients for these slimming ingredients for summer drinks, and enjoy the sunshine and a lean waistline at the same time!
1 Stevia
Whether you’re having lemonade, sweet tea, smoothies, cocktails, or just a morning cup of coffee, stevia is one of the best slimming ingredients for summer drinks (or all drinks) to use. It’s all natural since it comes from an herb, tastes 600 times sweeter than sugar, and it can be used anywhere. I suggest using the 100% pure stevia white powder or the liquid stevia as the best option, and if you're new to stevia, NuNaturals brand makes a product.
Frequently asked questions
2 Lemons
Lemons have less than 1 gram of sugar per fruit. They make an excellent ingredient to sweeten up a glass of water, and they add a tart taste that curbs your sweet tooth. You can also squeeze lemons into smoothies, veggie juices, tea, or make sugar-free lemonade with stevia and lemons.
3 Limes
Just like lemons, limes are virtually sugar-free. In fact, lemons and limes can be used the same way and are both high in vitamin C, which makes them very cleansing and helpful for weight loss.
4 Protein Powder
A clean protein powder that is free of additives, sugars, and artificial sweeteners is another slimming ingredient to add to your drinks such as smoothies or even nondairy milk. Have them after your workout so they can help your body produce more lean muscle, which ultimately burns fat around the clock.
5 Unsweetened Almond Milk
Choose unsweetened almond milk instead of dairy milk if you want to drop weight quickly. At only 30 calories per cup with no sugar, soy, lactose, MSG, gluten, or carbs, Silk unsweetened almond milk is my top beverage of choice for creamy drinks that I don’t want added calories or sugar.
6 Nonfat Plain Kefir
If you tolerate dairy, nonfat plain kefir is an excellent high-protein choice for your summer smoothies. Use no more than 1 cup per recipe since it isn’t calorie-free, and be sure to choose plain varieties instead of sweetened choices. You can always sweeten it up with stevia or berries if needed. Kefir is higher in slimming probiotics than yogurt and has a slightly sweet, tart taste that makes it incredibly satisfying!
7 Apple Cider Vinegar
Lastly, if you’re having a cup of ice water, here’s a little trick- add some stevia, lemon, ginger, and a dash of apple cider vinegar. I know it sounds gross, but with the other ingredients, it’s actually very tasty. Like a slimming ginger ale, if you will! Apple cider vinegar lowers your blood sugar and can prevent fat storage in the body. Cheers!
All of these slimming ingredients for your summer drinks are easy to find, and most anyone can enjoy using them. Do you use any of these or have a recipe to share? I want to hear it ladies!
