Here are the 11 healthiest drinks for weight loss

Do you want to lose a few pounds? So change not only what you eat, but also what you drink. 

In 2019, one in two adults was overweight in the Netherlands. So it's no surprise that many people want to lose a few pounds. Boot camps, gyms, healthy salads and fewer calories: we all know what it takes to get in shape. Yet one important part we often forget: be careful what you drink. These 11 healthy drinks could promote weight loss.

1. Water

You won't be surprised to learn that water is number 1 on this list. Water is the healthiest drink you can drink if you want to lose weight. Drink a glass of water before a meal and you will quickly find that you feel fuller. Often times you think you are hungry when in fact you are thirsty. “The more water you drink, the more weight you lose,” says nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein. The amount of water you should drink per day varies from person to person. For one person, 1.5 to 2 liters per day is the minimum, while another needs 3 liters. Drinking enough water not only helps you lose weight, it is also very good for your skin.

2. Water with fruit

At some point you can get bored of water. One solution is to make your water taste different. You can easily do this by adding some fresh fruit and letting it steep in your water. You can also add a little juice to your glass of water, such as cranberry, orange, or grapefruit juice. That way your “boring” water tastes a little sweeter, but it's still one of the healthiest drinks if you want to lose weight.

3. Green tea

Green tea contains special antioxidants, catechins. These catechins are believed to boost metabolism and make your body burn more fat. An analysis of fourteen studies showed that people who drank a lot of green tea lost about four pounds more than people who didn't.

4. Sour cherry juice

Poor sleep is often linked to obesity, weight gain and difficulty losing weight. One fruit that can help you sleep better is sour cherry. Eating sour cherries or drinking sour cherry juice can improve the quality of your sleep. This tasty and healthy fruit juice is naturally high in melatonin and tryptophan. These substances allow you to fall asleep faster and sleep much deeper and longer. In an animal test, two groups of rats were given the same high fat diet. One group of rats received lyophilized sour cherry powder, the control group did not. The rats given the sour cherries saw a nine percent reduction in belly fat and other signs of metabolic disease.

5. Coffee

Good news for all coffee lovers: a cup of coffee can help you lose weight. As long as you don't add a lot of milk and sugar, of course. A recent study shows that drinking four cups of coffee a day can lead to a 4% reduction in body fat. According to researchers, caffeine has a positive effect on your metabolism.

6. Psyllium fiber in water

Psyllium fiber is a kind of soluble fiber, which is used in Metamucil fiber supplement. Psyllium absorbs moisture in your body and can help you feel fuller, so you can eat less.

 7. Grapefruit juice

If you're in the mood for a sugary drink, fruit juice seems like a good, healthy option. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true. Although fruit juices seem healthy, they are often huge sugar bombs. This is not a good idea if you want to lose weight. If you still want to drink fruit juice, opt for a small glass of grapefruit juice. In a 12-week study, 100 obese men and women were divided into three groups. The first group ate half a grapefruit before each meal; the second group drank a glass of grapefruit juice before each meal; the last group did not take grapefruit. On average, grapefruit eaters lost around 1.6 pounds and those who drank grapefruit juice lost 1.5 pounds. The control group, who did not consume grapefruit, lost less than half a kilo in twelve weeks.

8. Coconut water and watermelon water

During or after exercise, it is good for your body to drink a sugary drink. However, do not choose a sports drink from the vending machine, but choose, for example, coconut water or watermelon water. Both of these drinks are low in sugar, but they help you get enough drink after exercise. Watermelon is rich in L-citrulline, an amino acid that helps remove lactic acid from muscles and reduce muscle pain and fatigue. Want to make your own watermelon water? Combine 1200 grams of ripe seedless watermelons (diced) and a cup of cold water in a blender or food processor. Stir until the water is liquid.

9. An organic vegetable protein milkshake

Protein is the building block of muscle and it promotes satiety. It can help with weight loss. If they are low in calories, high protein drinks can be an effective weight loss tool, especially if you drink them as a meal replacement or snack.

10. White tea

When it comes to healthy tea, green tea is a real star. However, white tea is also healthy and can help you lose weight. White tea contains a powerful combination of caffeine and EGCG catechin, which burns fat. Test-tube studies show that this catechin prevents the formation of new fat cells. White tea stimulates the metabolism and the body's ability to break down existing fats and use them for energy, research shows.

11. A low calorie smoothie

Low calorie smoothies with protein powders are a good way to fight hunger pangs. It's best to make such a smoothie yourself, so you know exactly what's in your drink. Take a spoonful of protein powder, a few frozen berries, (almond) milk and mix everything together.