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Healthy weight loss is heavily dependent on your daily routines and the habits you practice regularly. In the morning, you have the opportunity to kickstart your metabolism and begin your day with a well-rounded meal which will fuel your body and energize you into the afternoon. However, not all breakfast habits are created equal, and according to dietitians there’s one classic morning drink that should be avoided if you hope to speed up your metabolism.
Fruit juice is the biggest offender when it comes to a morning drink with minimal nutritional value that will do more harm than good for your metabolism. According to registered dietitian Shena Jaramillo, these juices are loaded with sugar, but lacking the fiber that a full piece of fruit would provide. “The way I think of fruit juice is like taking four whole oranges, squeezing out the juice and getting rid of the hearty good stuff. You would likely not eat four oranges at one time, so it’s not logical to do it with fruit juice.”
When you have a glass of juice in the morning instead of a piece of fruit, your body misses out on the natural benefits of the food. Jaramillo explains, “The fiber in a whole fruit aids in digestion and metabolism. With fiber being ditched in a fruit juice, we are simply adding a lot of sugar to our morning which can create rapid spikes and drops in blood sugar.” Studies have shown that a high intake of sugar could lower your metabolism, so a big glass of fruit juice in the morning is not the best choice if your goal is to lose weight.
If you crave that sweetness in the morning, try to incorporate a whole piece of fruit into your breakfast instead of relying on juice to satisfy your palate. A well rounded breakfast should contain a protein source, carbohydrate, and healthy fat, and an apple or orange is the perfect carb addition. Bonus points if you choose a water-based fruit in the morning--it will hydrate you as well!
While it can be difficult to break free from your old morning habits in favor of more health-conscious choices, your metabolism will thank you for putting the fruit juice back on the shelf. Instead of doubling down on sugar first thing in the morning, lean into the most whole version of the food and enjoy your fruit in its natural form. In general, food tends to be healthier the less processed it is, and your body will feel better when you prioritize consuming fiber and other nutrients instead of a glass of sugar in your morning routine. A speedy metabolism is key for weight loss, so set aside your sweet cravings in the AM and put your body first!
