Soda pop, cola and other soft drink beverages are significant contributors to obesity in the United States. Often referred as liquid candy, soda pop's high sugar and calorie content inhibits your weight-loss goals by increasing the number of calories you have in surplus at the end of the day. Replacing your soda intake with water or sugar-free drinks can make a significant reduction in the amount of calories you consume each day.
Calories in Soda Pop
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average caloric value of a 20 oz. serving of soda pop is 227 calories, or the amount you would burn in 30 minutes of jogging. Soda pop and soft drinks provide empty calories to your diet while offering limited hydration compared to water and sugar-free beverages.
Calories and Weight Loss
To lose 1 lb. from your current body weight, you will need to have an overall deficit of 3,500 calories. According to MayoClinic.com, this number can be achieved either by cutting the amount of calories you consume or increasing the number that you burn off with exercise. By eliminating your soda pop consumption, you are accelerating the rate at which your body burns calories, causing weight loss over a period of time.
Calculating Weight Loss
If you currently consume 20 oz. of soda pop each day, you can accelerate the rate at which you lose weight by an extra 2 lbs. per month by avoiding it. This data is based on the average caloric value of 227 calories per 20-oz. serving consumed daily, or about 7,000 calories each month. For best results, balance your diet further by eliminating unnecessary sweets, snacks and other high-calorie foods.
Curbing Your Soft Drink Cravings
Due to the addictive quality of the caffeine and sugar found in soda pop, it may be difficult to cut your habit altogether. Take small steps at first by replacing your servings with a diet cola or other low-calorie, sugar-free beverage. Whenever you can, gradually replace your soda pop consumption with water to maximize hydration and minimize the added calories from your beverage intake.
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