If you are trying to lose weight, it is likely you'll look for any tips or tricks that can speed up your weight loss. One possible tip you may consider is consuming hot liquids before each meal to reduce calorie consumption. Although including certain hot beverages into your diet may help you lose weight, the most effective weight-loss method is to reduce calorie intake by eating mostly vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains and nonfat dairy products.
Reduced Calorie Consumption
If you have a broth soup before your meal, you are likely to reduce the number of calories you consume, reports "USA Today," citing research done at the University of Pennsylvania in 2008. During the study, subjects ate approximately 134 fewer calories at mealtimes when they consumed 1 1/2 to 2 cups of hot broth soups beforehand. This calorie reduction includes the calories from the soup.
Foods With Water
The water is believed to be the reason why hot liquids, like soup, can help you achieve weight loss. The water increases fullness and decreases appetite. Water served with meals does not have this same effect. According to 1999 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," consuming foods with a high water intake before meals reduced calorie intake at meals more than drinking water with food.
Green Tea
If you are looking for a hot beverage to consume to help you lose weight, try adding some green tea to your diet. A 2008 study published in "Physiology and Behavior" found that consuming green tea increase fat oxidation and improves metabolic rate. You can add two to three glasses of hot green tea between your meals daily to reap the weight-loss benefits.
Considerations
Speak to your doctor before trying to lose weight by drinking hot liquids before meals. He'll likely recommend more traditional weight-loss methods of lowering your calorie intake and increasing physical activity level. If you do use hot green tea to lose weight, keep in mind that it does contain caffeine. You may develop side effects such as headache, irritability and difficulty sleeping.
References
- "USA Today"; Trick Your Tummy: Eat Before You Eat; Nanci Hellmich; Jan. 9, 2008
- "Physiology and Behavior;" Effectiveness of Green Tea on Weight Reduction in Obese Thais: A Randomized, Controlled Trial; P Auvichayapat, et al.; Feb. 27, 2008
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Water Incorporated into a Food but Not Served with a Food Decreases Energy Intake in Lean Women; Barbara J. Rolls, et al.; October 1999
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