You are what you eat, right? So that means that if you’re eating fatty, unhealthy and processed foods you’re going to be unhealthy. But how much thought do you typically give to the drinks you consume? Did you know that drinking certain things can also cause you to gain weight? In this guide we’ll talk about:
- Drinks you need to avoid if you’re trying to lose weight
- The beverages that can pack on pounds without you even thinking about it
- The number one thing you should be drinking to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Here are the sneaky beverages that can make you fat quickly.
1. Carbonated sodas
A 12 ounce can of one of the world’s most popular colas contains 140 calories. The other leading brand has 150 per 12 ounces. If you drink just two cans of soda a day, you’ve already consumed a whole tenth of your daily calories! Those are calories you should have gotten by eating healthy, fresh and nutritious foods.
The calories in cola and other carbonated sodas comes from sugar, of course, and that means they’re empty calories. They provide absolutely no nutritional value, so it’s best to just avoid soda and carbonated drinks entirely. Plus, carbonation can leave you with a full, bloated feeling (and appearance.) Skip the soda and opt for a more healthy drink choice.
- Just two sodas each day will equate to a tenth or more of your daily recommended calories
- Soda can also make you feel and look bloated
- There’s no nutritional value to soda, as the calories come from processed sugar
2. Fruit juice
Most of us start drinking fruit juice when we’re just toddlers. But is it really good for you? In a nutshell, absolutely not. While fruit juice does contain vitamins and antioxidants, it’s positively packed with sugar. That’s bad for your weight and also for your teeth!
Again, there are some vitamins in fruit juice. But one major thing juice lacks over its whole fruit counterparts is fiber. Eating the full fruit, fresh from the farmer’s market, is absolutely preferable to guzzling down apple, orange or any other drink.
That’s not to say that you can’t enjoy a few sips of OJ now and then, but you’ve been warned! Drinking fruit juice is just as bad as drinking soda. To cite a specific example, one cup (eight ounces) of apple juice contains 113 calories. One cup (the same 8 ounces) of cola contains just 92!
- Fruit just is just as bad for you as – or worse than – sodas and sugary drinks
- One cup of apple juice contains more calories than a cup of cola
- There are a few vitamins and nutrients in fruit juice, but it doesn’t make it worth it – eat the whole fruit instead
3. Protein shakes
Sure, you see all those ripped guys and women at the gym, throwing back protein shakes. But that doesn’t mean you should, too. In fact, even those people shouldn’t necessarily be chugging down sugary, fattening protein shakes.
If you find yourself in a tight spot, like you forgot to pack a lunch this morning and you need a pick me up after the gym, go ahead and splurge on a protein shake. Keep in mind, though, that it’s a splurge and isn’t something you should drink every day.
Aside from being loaded with sugar, protein shakes also contain a boatload of entirely unnecessary things. Just as kale and acai became a part of a well-balanced fad diet, it’s probably fair to say that your body doesn’t need branched-chain amino acids – a person with a normal lifestyle will get the nutrients he needs from a healthy diet.
- Protein shakes will make you fat in a hurry!
- These drinks are loaded with sugars and carbs, as well as other unnecessary ingredients
- Skip the shake unless you’re in a pinch and opt for a healthy diet instead
4. Sweet tea
Tea has gotten quite a positive reputation lately, and for good reason. Studies have shown that certain types of tea – green, in particular – can be very effective as a part of a weight loss plan. But there has to be a line drawn somewhere, and that line is marked at sweet tea.
In some parts of the world, sweet tea is a cultural necessity. In other parts, you’ll find the sugary drink in service stations, restaurants and fast food joints. One fast food chain that operates on a global scale sells a sweet tea that contains 160 calories per large serving. Another top chain tops the charts at 180 calories per serving.
Folks, this is more calories than you need from a drink. Sweet tea is at the top of the list of drinks that will make you fat quickly.
- Tea has many health benefits and can be effective when used for weight loss
- Sweetened tea is superhigh in calories, even more so than soda!
- Stick with unsweetened tea to avoid getting fat quickly
5. Sports drinks
Right up there with protein shakes, sports drinks are a highly misunderstood beverage, and it’s a fact that most people don’t need them. If you’re training for a marathon, sure! Your activity may warrant a high calorie sports drink. But if you’re just working out at the gym, these drinks will do you more harm than good.
To stay properly hydrated while you exercise, you only need one thing: water. Bring a reusable water bottle to the health club with you and you’ll be just fine. If you happen to be training outdoors in the heat, it may be advisable to chat with your doctor about whether a sports drink is right for you. But for most, good old H2O will do just fine.
- Very few people need sports drinks to replenish nutrients
- The best way to stay hydrated while you work out is by sipping water
- Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about hydration while you exercise
6. Diet drinks
First things first: every glass of a diet drink you indulge in is a glass of water you’re not drinking. That’s bad for you in and of itself. But there are other downsides to drinking diet drinks, too. First, these artificial sweeteners trick our bodies into producing insulin. This confuses the heck out of your pancreas and deeply impacts your metabolism.
Secondly, diet drinks give us the feeling that we’re allowed to eat more. It’s like that old joke about the guy who walked into the burger chain and ordered a triple deluxe burger with a large side of fries… and a diet cola. At that point, the guy may as well have just enjoyed the regular soda.
The science isn’t entirely clear on why diet drinks make you gain weight, but they’ve definitely been linked with obesity. Do yourself a favor and just drink water with your triple deluxe cheddar melt. And that goes for flavored waters, too! Steer clear of the flavored waters that are sweetened with aspartame, saccharin or other chemicals.
- Diet drinks have been linked to weight gain and obesity
- Artificial sweeteners play tricks on the pancreas and on the brain
- Stay away from diet drinks as well as sweetened flavored water
7. Pretty much anything from a coffee shop
You may think you’re cool when you walk into a coffee shop and order your double frappa-mocha-skinny-soy-whatever, but really you’re just asking to get fat quickly. Unless you’re simply ordering unsweetened tea or coffee, you’re doing yourself a disservice by frequenting your local coffee shop.
Even coffee and tea have their downsides! Do you drink your coffee black? Or do you add cream and sugar? Just one tablespoon of half and half cream contains 20 calories – and if you’re drinking more than one cup of coffee each day (and who doesn’t?) those calories can add up. Then, factor in the caramel drizzle, the whipped cream and everything else those places add to their drinks. Oh, and the temptation to also grab that muffin.
Brew your joe at home and carry it in a reusable coffee mug to work. You’ll better be able to control your intake that way, and won’t be tempted to order that fattening fancy coffee drink.
- Visiting your local coffee shop frequently is a good way to get fat quickly
- Many people don’t “count” the calories in the cream and sugar they add to their coffee – but they should!
- Brew your own coffee at home and skip the coffee shop to avoid gaining weight quickly
8. Alcohol
Oh, alcohol. We love you so much but hate you so much more. The truth is that, while a glass of red wine once or twice a week is okay, drinking more than that can seriously screw up your weight loss efforts.
Alcohol slows your metabolism and it’s ridiculously high in calories. In just one shot of vodka, there are 97 calories! Prefer whiskey? That’s 105 calories. More of a beer guy or girl? One light beer contains 104 calories, on average. That’s insane! Add to that the mixers (think vodka and orange juice or whiskey and cola) and you’re well on your way to getting fat.
Even aside from the calories and the impact of alcohol on your metabolism, alcohol makes you eat more. It makes you lethargic. It’s just all around bad for your weight. Stick with just a glass or two of wine each week and leave the alcohol alone.
- Alcohol is extremely high in calories, especially when you add mixers
- Alcohol also slows your metabolism and leads you to snack more
- A few glasses of wine each week are okay, but otherwise stay away from alcohol
9. Premixed smoothies
The next time you’re strolling through the produce section of your grocery store, pay special attention to those premixed smoothies and yogurt drinks. They’re marketed as healthy and even as meal replacements. But the truth is they’re horrible for you and will make you get fat quickly.
One of the most popular smoothie drinks (we’re not going to name names) sells a line of products that are marketed as high in nutrients and vitamins. But just 8 ounces of these drinks averages around 120 calories, making it as bad for you as a soda.
Of course, we’ve already talked about how juice is something no one should drink, ever. Buying into these deceptive brands is a sure-fire way to gain weight fast. If you’re craving fruit and feel like you need the vitamins, we have a much healthier solution for you: eat fruit.
- Premixed smoothies and yogurt drinks are nothing but marketing hype
- These drinks have as many calories as soda, and few nutrients
- If you’re craving fruit, simple eat fruit
10. Root beer floats
We’re not going to waste your time going into detail about this one. Root beer floats – just. No.
11. Frozen cocktails
If you’re like a lot of people, you want to splurge every now and then and sip on something with a little umbrella. But think twice before you order that ‘rita. These drinks are extremely high in calories. In fact, some popular blends boast a calorie count as high as 700. That’s almost half of what you should be taking in for the whole day!
If you really feel you must indulge, try a fruity wine or even champagne infused with fruit. These drinks offer a much lower-calorie alternative and still satisfy your craving.
- Frozen cocktails can contain as many as 700 calories per serving
- There are fruity alternatives you can sip on instead of frozen margaritas or other cocktails
- Look for lower calorie alternatives and save the frozen cocktails for a vacation splurge
12. Eggnog
It’s a holiday tradition you’ll want to stop, as drinking eggnog can make you gain weight fast. With or without alcohol, this thick, rich drink is made from eggs, cream and milk. Shockingly, just 8 ounces of most types of eggnog contains as many as 350 calories!
You may be able to find some lower-cal blends on the market. For instance, there are eggnogs made with unsweetened almond and soy milk. That said, they just won’t taste the same as your full-throttle eggnog, so why not just add some cinnamon to your coffee and spare yourself the calories?
- Commercial and homemade eggnogs are very high in calories and fat
- While drinking eggnog is a holiday tradition, it’s also a good way to gain weight fast
- Find a seasonal alternative, such as adding nutmeg or cinnamon to your coffee
13. Sweetened milks
Many people think that by buying soy, almond or oat milk they’re making a healthy choice. That’s simply not true, especially when those drinks are sweetened. The same is true for coffee creamers. These creamers include sugars to the extent that just a tablespoon can net 50 calories.
Believe it or not, the healthiest dairy product you can buy is whole milk. Studies have shown that high fat dairy products are linked to weight loss. So skip the skim and drink a cool glass of whole cow’s milk. Lactose treat you unfairly? There are plenty of lactose-free options on the market that carry the same benefits as whole milk.
- Soy, almond and oat milks are unhealthy for you when they’ve been sweetened
- Coffee creamers can pack on the pounds, too
- If you’re craving dairy, simply grab a glass of whole cow’s milk
14. Energy drinks and energy shots
If you need a quick pick me up after lunch at work, think twice about reaching for an energy drink. These drinks are jam packed with weird chemicals that have actually been shown to damage your DNA! Your very DNA!
Aside from the strange combination of chemicals in these products, they’re also usually filled with artificial sweeteners. As you know, saccharine, sucralose and other artificial sweeteners can actually cause weight gain by messing with your pancreas and your brain.
If you’re feeling a bit pokey, grab some green tea or black coffee. Better yet – go for a walk! It’s a sure-fire way to perk up!
- Energy drinks and shots are a harmful combination of chemicals
- These drinks can be damaging to your DNA
- If you need an energy boost, grab some tea or coffee, or simply get up and moving around
15. Milkshakes
Milkshakes fall into the same category as root beer floats: the “just no” category. This is especially exacerbated in that restaurants don’t serve small portions of these drinks. They’re usually at least 3 scoops of ice cream, blended up with whatever crazy concoction you choose.
As a result, milkshakes can make you very fat quickly as they usually contain over 1000 calories. Thankfully, we’ve got your back. The next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up some yogurt – any flavor you choose. At home, store it in the freezer. When you’re feeling the urge to drink a milkshake, just blend one of those bad boys up. You won’t be disappointed.
- Some milkshakes contain as many calories as an entire meal
- Restaurant milkshakes are usually huge, and many more calories than you need
- Try frozen yogurt instead the next time you’re craving a milkshake
Conclusion
Many times, we think about what we eat when we’re counting calories. But how much thought do you put into what you drink? Some drinks that are commonly perceived as healthy will make you fat in a hurry. So be sure those calories from drinks are accounted for, too!
