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By Jodi Rigotti, Nubella News
How many calories do you drink each day? If you don’t know, you’re not alone, but you might want to start keeping track. Studies show that Americans drink at least 365 calories day. It may be time to rethink what you drink. Check out these great recipes for five drinks that are low in calories and fat, but definitely high in flavor. In addition to being good to your waistline, they’ll benefit your health in other surprising ways as well. Here, five delicious diet-friendly drinks. Mango Banana Smoothie
Calories: 273
Fat: 5.8 grams
Smooth and refreshing, this diet-friendly drink may seem high in calories at first glance, but one of its main ingredients, yogurt, is a proven weight-management tool. A study conducted by General Mills, makers of Yoplait yogurt, followed the diets of approximately 3,000 women ages 19 and older. The researchers found that the women who consumed three or more servings of yogurt over the two-week period had a 15 percent lower body mass index (BMI) than those who didn’t eat any yogurt.
Get the recipe Apple-Berry Punch
Calories: 103
Fat: 1.6 grams
Raspberries are aplenty in this sweet and sensible treat, and that’s great news for your health. Because they're packed with vitamins, minerals, plant compounds, and antioxidants, raspberries may protect against cancer. And black raspberries, which are incredibly rich in antioxidants, may be especially helpful in warding off colon cancer.
Get the recipe Chai Tea
Calories: 104
Fat: 4.2 grams
Black tea, the main ingredient in chai tea, does more than just provide a delicious, low-calorie refreshment—it may help reduce your risk of stroke as well. A study by the Netherlands National Institute of Public Health and the Environment followed 552 men over a 15-year period. The researchers concluded that the flavonoids in black tea helped reduce the production of LDL—the "bad" cholesterol that can contribute to stroke and heart attack. Furthermore, men who drank over four cups of black tea per day had a significantly lower risk of stroke than men who drank only two to three cups per day.
When preparing this nutritious drink, be sure to use low-fat or skim milk to keep it diet-friendly.
Get the recipe Blueberry-Apricot Shake
Calories: 201
Fat: 3.8 grams
Enjoy this shake, knowing you’re being good not just to your waistline, but to your entire body. A host of nutritional authorities, including researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, have placed blueberries near the top of the superfood list, and for good reason: Blueberries pack a phytochemical punch, boosting the body's antioxidant activity. So if you can incorporate a six-ounce serving into your daily diet, do it. Your entire body will be rewarded.
Get the recipe Café Brulot
Calories: 135
Fat: 1 gram
This delectable drink is sure to warm you up on a chilly autumn evening, and the cinnamon and cloves will leave your home smelling delightful. But the benefits don’t end there. Two studies presented at Experimental Biology 2006, a national science conference, provided new evidence about the beneficial effects of cinnamon as an anti-inflammatory agent and supported earlier findings of its antioxidant power and its ability to lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose—and to improve insulin function. In a related study, extracts of cloves were also found to have similar effects. Just remember: This drink is alcoholic, so be sure not to overdo it—and because it has caffeine, avoid drinking it too close to bedtime.
Get the recipe Related Links: 6 Drinks That Can Destroy Your Diet 3 Tips to Break Your Sugar Habit The 5 Best Junk Foods
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