
Squashes and fruit juice drinks may contain large amounts of ‘hidden’ sugars, rapidly upping the calories.
Check labels to make sure you’re buying juice without added sugar. That’s why one small (150ml) glass of fruit juice or smoothie counts as just one of the five-a-day recommended fruit and veg. These provide vitamins but don’t contain the fibre of fresh fruit.
One large banana milkshake (based on a McDonald’s milkshake) contains 510 calories – the same as a 225g grilled sirloin steak, home-made potato wedges, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes and salad. It’s better to make your own, by blending semi-skimmed milk with fruit. Milkshakes are a different story – they can be loaded with calories, sugar, flavourings and other additives. Milk is packed with protein, vitamins and minerals, especially bone-building calcium, and doesn’t damage teeth. A 250ml glass of skimmed milk contains just 83 calories 115 calories if it’s semi-skimmed. Opt for skimmed or semi-skimmed milk and you’ll get plenty of nutrients for your calories. One glass of flavoured water (based on a 250ml Volvic Touch of Fruit Lemon & Lime) contains 60 calories – equivalent to eating 1 slice of cantaloupe melon, 6 strawberries and 50g raspberries. But watch out for flavoured waters: many contain artificial sweeteners and are low in calories, but a few may tot up the calories with ‘hidden’ or added sugars. #Protein in skimmed milk 250ml free#
Not surprisingly, water is free from calories, fat, sugar, salt and additives. Here’s the lowdown on what nutrients drinks offer and how their calories compare to food… It’s possible to consume hundreds of calories each day from liquids.
You’ve cut out cakes, chocolate and biscuits, never fry food and exercise three times a week – but the pounds refuse to budge.