Slim Your “Weigh” Down with Green Tea

Bored of water? I’ve been asked so many times -what else is there to drink? These days beverages aren’t as healthy as they seem. Many sports beverages have been found to have high fructose corn syrup, juices aren’t as fresh as you’d hope with hidden sugars and concentrates, and well we all know what soda can do! People want to drink something to quench their thirst but water doesn’t always make the cut. So why not try tea? Fresh brewed tea, iced or hot, has some great health related benefits, particularly green tea.

Benefits of green
Green tea, in particular, has emerged as an extremely popular beverage. Consumption of green tea has positive health-related benefits including prevention of cancer, decreasing your LDL “bad” cholesterol, and reducing your blood sugar levels. And good news to all city girls and guys watching their weight – studies have shown that consuming green tea along with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean protein will enhance weight loss. The major component in green tea that may aid in weight is a catechin called EGCG. Not to get too scientific .. . but the mechanism of action is that these catechins have been known to increase oxygen consumption and energy expenditure.

The “skinny” on green tea
Most mixed tea drinks have added sugars from flavorings, syrups, and fruit juices from concentrate. The idea is to drink a pure, strong brew straight from tealeaves – the most natural form.  Green tea can be brewed hot or iced and the health benefits are the same.  Try to avoid bottled tea drinks because they don’t have as many antioxidants as freshly brewed tea.

Bottom line:  With bathing suit season around the corner, add green tea to your diet to help you slim your “weigh” down! The ideal combination for weight loss:

1. Modify your diet and cut back at least 250 calories
2. Exercise. As a certified trainer, my recommendations are for the ideal exercise program are:
        * 3 days of cardio/week at moderate intensity which includes a brisk walk, running, and other cardio related activities  (pic is of hot man running…)
         *2 days of strength/week including total body conditioning focusing on major groups such as quadriceps, abductors, triceps, core
         * 1 day of flexibility/week such as a yoga class
3. Consume 8-12 oz of green tea daily

I would like to thank Anita Mirchandani for writing this article. She is a certified Spin, Group Exercise, and Kickbox instructor as well as a NASM certified personal trainer. She is currently pursuing a MS degree in Clinical Nutrition from NYU. In her spare time, she prefers to relax with yoga, shopping or just walking around NYC. She prefers nights out that include dancing, and restaurants that serve both guacamole and good, strong margaritas.

My kind of woman!