Setting yourself up for the day with a good breakfast is important for kick starting your metabolism and ensuring you have enough energy to make it through the day. When youre on a diet though it can be tough to know exactly what food will boost your chances of weight loss. Things is made harder by the fact were encouraged to consume certain foods that arent actually as good as they seem. This is particularly true of orange juice.
While orange juice is a fruit-based drink, it certainly is not as innocent as its fruit counterpart.
Although orange juice is a staple part of many breakfasts around the world and a deliciously sweet way to start the day, there are hidden ingredients that could ruin your diet success.
Though made from the concentrate of oranges, the drink is also often laden with additional sugars.
Furthermore, the juice has a very low nutritional density meaning, although it is high in calories, it wont sustain you long enough or provide you with very much useful energy.
Things get even worse if opting for shop-bought juices in cartons, as the nutritional value drops further when the juice is processed at higher temperatures.
However, registered dietitian Isabel Smithshared some top tips for tasty alternatives.
She told Business Insider: Choose a freshly squeezed juice, cold-pressed juice or high-pressure-pasteurized fruit and vegetable juice that contains more nutrients and less sugar.
If juice is still on the agenda, it is recommended that you look for as many vegetables in the ingredients as possible.
Packing in two or more veggies to your breakfast drink can boost its nutritional value, keeping you sustained for longer.
Alternatively, opt for water or a herbal tea, both also working to hydrate you in the mornings.
If you still crave a zesty kick in the morning there are some alternatives.
For maximum hydration, try placing a slice of orange juice in your water, or you can make your own, home-made juice from the comfort of your kitchen if you have a juicer.
There are also a number of smoothie recipes which combine fresh oranges, but also pack in plenty of vegetables and a glass or two of water for the ultimate nutrient-rich beverage.
A beetroot and celery smoothie is a go-to for those wanting to watch their waistline and benefit their blood pressure too.
The tasty drink also features carrot, a fresh orange and apple juice for the ultimate flavour.
Cheryl Lythgoe, Head Matron of Benenden Health explained why this is such a good breakfast option.
She said: Celery contains phytochemicals which relax the muscle tissue in our arteries walls.
Beetroot is a nitrogen rich food (nitrogen is a part of all living cells and an essential element found in amino acids and proteins)
If dieters hope to lose fat but maintain strength and firmness, they surprisingly need to include more fat in their breakfast choices.
There are plenty of good fats that exist, including avocado, almonds and oily fish.
All of these items are rich in vitamins and minerals, while also serving as excellent fuel for a busy day.
See more here:
Weight loss: Avoid this popular breakfast item if youre trying to shed pounds - Express
