The 10 Best Weight Loss Drinks That Won't Add Extra Calories, According To Dietitians ||

If you are trying to lose weight, you may be focusing on getting more movement in and rethinking your food and beverage intake. ICYMI, what you drink, just like what you eat, has calories, and you’ll want to choose the best weight loss drinks to get to your goals. Some beverages can actually make you crave more food and lead to weight gain.

For example, alcohol and soda are really just “empty calories" and you probably want to avoid reaching for these when you're thirsty, says registered dietitian and certified personal trainer Gabbi Berkow, RD, CDN, CPT. “Weight loss ultimately comes down to burning more calories than you eat, so to maximize calories from food, we want to minimize our calories from drinks,” she explains. These drinks provide calories and sugar but no beneficial nutrients. The added sugar can also cause your blood sugar to spike and fall, which can make you crave even more sugar.

That’s why you want to watch out for artificial sweeteners. Another thing to note: Most beverages do not contain any fiber, which you know is a major satiation factor. They won’t keep you full like meals filled with fiber-rich foods, so you'll feel hungry again sooner after and end up consuming more calories overall.

In other words, not paying close attention to drinkable calories can easily and quickly lead to taking in more calories than you need. Don’t worry—there are a variety of low-cal beverages packed with health benefits that you can easily add to your diet beginning today. Here are 12 RD-approved drinks that can also help you lose weight.

1. Water

Eh, a little boring right? Not so fast.  is imperative for losing weight, according to Berkow. “Staying hydrated is also really key for weight loss—and of course health in general. Water is needed for metabolism, circulation, energy, digestion, and every function in your body," she explains.

A 2019 ​​systematic review looked at several studies that showed the effect water consumption had on weight loss. All of them found a significant weight reduction associated with increased water intake. “The most effective type of study were the ones that had participants replace their caloric beverages with water,” notes Jesse Feder, RDN, a contributor to My Crohn's and Colitis Team.

Plus, you've probably heard that it's easy to scramble hunger and thirst signals, and that's true. You might actually be thirsty if you feel hungry. Berkow recommends drinking a full glass of water before eating to properly gauge your appetite. Aim for at least eight cups (64 ounces) a day, and even more if you’ve been super active or sweat a lot. To make it fun, add any sliced fruit you have in the fridge.

2. Green Tea

Unsweetened green tea has zero calories, and studies have suggested that it can also help speed up your metabolism. “This is because of the caffeine content in the green tea, and also because green tea contains catechins, which are antioxidants that can support fat burning,” says Berkow. Though, some perspective here: You need a calorie deficit to lose weight, so you can't rely on catechin-containing beverages to majorly increase your metabolic rate.

A 2019 study in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology showed green tea extract is linked to a lower weight, BMI, and body fat percentage. “That’s not to suggest there are no benefits in drinking green tea itself,” says Katherine Donelan, RD, of Stanford Health Care. “On the contrary, the American Institute of Cancer Research recommends drinking one to four cups of green tea a day as part of a cancer risk reduction diet.”

3. Smoothies

“Smoothies, when done right, are a great option for weight loss, but you have to make sure they are filling enough to be used as a meal or snack replacement,” explains Berkow. “You should also remember they will not keep you as full as solid food would, so be careful not to overdo fruits and sugars.”

Berkow suggests using her formula to create filling and balanced smoothies that have plenty of protein, fiber, unsaturated fat, vitamins, and minerals: Combine at least 20 grams of protein (from protein powder or plain 0 percent Greek yogurt), one or two fruit servings (e.g., bananas and berries), a handful of spinach or another green of choice, one serving of unsaturated fat (such as one to two level tablespoons of nut butter, ¼ avocado, or one tablespoon of chia seeds), and one cup of water or non-dairy milk/skim milk for liquid.

Smoothies are great for refueling athletes, but may not be the best option for the average person, says Audra Wilson, MS, RD, a bariatric dietitian at Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital. “A better option would be to take a low-carb, pre-made protein shake or powder and add ½ cup fruit and a few tablespoons of low-carb yogurt or powdered peanut butter. This way you get some taste variation without all of the carbs and calories these add-ins provide,” she adds.

While there is no research to support that drinking smoothies can help you lose weight, there is no denying that a smoothie is one way to introduce healthier foods to your diet. “If we would typically eat a sausage and egg sandwich for breakfast and now we are opting for a fruit- and veggie-based smoothie, then that is a great choice because we do know that an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption is more closely aligned with weight reduction,” says Donelan.

4. Herbal Tea

“People love herbal teas for a bit of flavor and a non-caffeinated break in the middle of the day,” says Berkow. Depending on the type of tea you choose, it can have different benefits: For instance, lavender and chamomile teas are great for relaxation or peppermint tea can help with digestion. Other perks include being low-calorie and hydrating.

5. Green Juice

Green juice can pack in the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but it doesn’t have the same fiber as eating the vegetables whole, which is why you need to be mindful of the kinds of juices you consume, according to Berkow. That said, a green juice can be a refreshing and hydrating drink when you're aiming to lose weight.

“When selecting a green juice, make sure to get ones that contain only vegetables, or are made with one fruit like an apple,” Berkow says. “Those with too many fruits can be really high in sugar and calories, and can actually leave you craving more sugar later on.”

6. Coffee

Coffee can be a great option to add to your diet, according to Berkow. “Black coffee would be ideal because it doesn’t contain any calories, and caffeine can speed your metabolism a bit,” she says. (Although this metabolic bump isn't enough to cause weight loss on its own.)

Researchers found that drinking four cups of coffee per day could possibly reduce body fat by up to four percent in a 2020 study conducted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, .

But coffee and tea become high in calories and problematic when tons of sugar and cream or milk are added, says Berkow. Think flavored frappuccinos and lattes. If you take your coffee with sugar and cream or milk, no problem. She recommends a plant-based sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit, as these won't raise your blood sugar. Stick with a small portion of milk or cream.

Oh, and don't forget to drink water too. It can be easy to sip coffee throughout the day and forget to hydrate with plain H20.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks

It's tangy and puckery, but many people like to incorporate a little apple cider vinegar (ACV) into a daily drink or sip on a ready-made bottled version, which are easier to find in grocery stores now. “ACV is linked to many health benefits, such as aiding in blood sugar regulation and helping with weight management by enhancing fullness,” explains New York City-based Marissa Meshulam, RD. In addition, raw, unfiltered ACV (the kind where you can see the cloudy-looking "mother" in the bottle) is a source of probiotics, which can benefit immune and gut health, she says.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Functional Foods found that ACV along with a restricted calorie diet can be considered an effective strategy for reducing appetite in overweight or obese individuals.

However, Donelan notes the key is the amount of ACV you use. “Studies have shown that taking two tablespoons daily is necessary to get the benefits, but it is difficult to know if these marketed apple cider drinks have enough apple cider in them, and even if they did, you would need to have one a day to get the benefits,” she adds.

A more cost-effective approach would be to buy the apple cider vinegar itself and take it as a shot or a shooter with a splash of juice. You could also mix it into a smoothie to soften the taste.

8. Nut Milk

“Nut milks are super low calorie and depending on the milk you choose, can be a great source of iron, vitamin E, and antioxidants,” says Berkow. If fortified, nut milks also provide calcium and vitamin D. “They’re also lactose-free, gluten-free, and vegan.” Your best option is unsweetened nut milks. Sweetened varieties are loaded with extra sugar.

Plant-based beverages generally contain fewer calories than regular dairy milk, according to a 2020 study, so for people aiming to reduce their calorie intake, switching to nut-based milk, like almond milk, may support that overall health goal of weight loss. For instance, just one cup of whole milk contains 149 calories, while only one cup of almond milk has 60 calories.

“Not only that, the American Institute of Cancer Research recommends limiting animal products as much as possible to reduce cancer risk,” says Donelan.

9. Coconut Water

There's nothing like sipping a fresh coconut on a beach somewhere, right? Okay, you're probably sipping yours from a single-serve box you bought at the store, but that can be just as refreshing, too.

Coconut water is full of electrolytes, which is great for rehydrating the body, says Meshulam. “Coconut water is a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, manganese, and potassium,” she explains. These vitamins and minerals play a role in immunity and collagen production in the skin (vitamin C, we're looking at you), manage blood pressure (hats off you to, potassium), and provide disease-fighting antioxidants (thanks, manganese). Coconut water does contain some sugar though, so be sure to balance out coconut water consumption with regular plain water.

When combined with vinegar, coconut water may help with weight loss. In a 2017 study in the journal Food & Nutrition Research conducted in mice, ten weeks of coconut water and vinegar treatment led to weight reductions of 17.9 percent compared to 8.7 percent for the untreated mice. But that's an animal study, so it's not clear if the benefits translate to humans.

“Overall if you are looking for something different than water to stay hydrated throughout the day coconut water could be a good choice in comparison to higher calorie juice and sports drinks,” says Wilson. “Just be careful to read labels and find the option with the lowest sugar content.”

10. Kombucha

“Kombucha is a fermented tea,” explains Meshulam. “During the fermentation process, health-promoting probiotics are formed, plus it's made from tea, so it contains antioxidants from the tea leaves."

In a 2021 article published in Current Developments in Nutrition, kombucha consumption led to a decrease in overall caloric and macronutrient intake. This may be because kombucha suppressing appetite or making participants feel fuller due to the fluid volume, says Donelan.

However, kombucha naturally contains sugar, so read the label and purchase those that have less than 15 g of sugar per bottle. When poured into a fancy glass, it can make a nice substitute for an alcoholic bev.