Although we know that healthy habits and regular exercise are the ones that ultimately produce the most impressive results, we need all the help we can get in order to make this journey easier. Adding some healthy homemade beverages to your routine can increase your nutrient intake while keeping caloric intakes low.

The weight loss industry has developed exponentially over the years and, as a result, a myriad of products with incredible claims have emerged. Weight loss beverages are a popular product nowadays, however many people have come to question their benefits and fear their side effects. There's no need to give up the idea of including a series of healthy beverages in your diet if you do it correctly.

It is important to keep in mind that we first have to give up unhealthy beverages we currently consume to be able to accelerate the weight loss process, get healthier and keep our calories in check. Sugary laden drinks such as cocktails or soda, even diet varieties should be reduced as much as possible and even eliminated, as they create sugar cravings while also causing energy highs and lows through insulin level fluctuations. While water is certainly a dieter's best friend as it is calorie free, other drinks should also be taken into account by those wanting to shed a few pounds. Ice cold water is said to be more beneficial for weight loss than water at room temperature. Here are a few ideas:

Teas
In recent years, green tea has received a lot of attention not only due to the high content of cancer fighting antioxidants, but also for the fact that it can be a great healthy beverage for melting stubborn pounds. 4 to 5 cups of green tea can help speed up our metabolism, help us burn more fat and even help us exercise longer. However, due to its caffeine content, it can cause insomnia if drank a few hours before bedtime. A green and blueberry mix or black and white tea are also great for this purpose as they help you shed water weight faster.

Another useful tea that has important detoxifying qualities is dandelion tea, which is also said to help reduce cholesterol levels. Unsweetened herbal teas are also great for this purpose. Ginger tea can be useful if you are dealing with an upset stomach or other digestive problems.

Cranberry juice
Cranberry juice is also a highly popular drink that helps increase metabolism and adds a variety of vitamins and minerals with few calories. This juice is a natural diuretic and is said to be useful for detoxifying. Homemade juice is by far one of the healthiest options, however , if you plan on purchasing cranberry juice it is important to always check the sugar content of it to ensure that you don't sabotage your efforts in the process.

Homemade shakes
Weight loss smoothies and shakes are a highly popular and can be purchased virtually everywhere. However, if you want to know exactly what you are drinking, making your own is the best choice. Here are a few useful recipes: blend 2 cups of romaine lettuce, 1 cup of fresh pineapple, 1 cup of orange and 1 cup of filtered water. This shake will give you a nutritional boost for little over 200 calories.

Mixing 1 cup of tomatoes, grated ginger, a teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of low fat yogurt is a great alternative that can fill you up. Spinach is another great addition for smoothies. When it comes to weight loss shakes, opting for vegetable based ones is a much smarter alternative compared to fruit based ones. However, if you find it hard to drink vegetable only shakes, starting with fruit shakes and gradually adding vegetables will make the transition easier.

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