There’s nothing like a great workout schedule to kick your weight loss journey into gear. From a long run on the treadmill to some weight lifting at the gym, regular exercise is a vital component to any healthy lifestyle, especially if you’re trying to shed a few pounds. However, what you consume before and after your workout is just as important as the calories you burn in the workout itself. In fact, there’s one post-exercise mistake health experts say could thwart your weight loss efforts if you aren’t careful—and it has to do with the beverage you choose to drink.
To learn more about this common downfall, we spoke to personal trainers Brooke Cavalla and Kate Meier, along with registered dietitian Nataly Komova, RD. They all recommended avoiding sugary sports drinks at all costs after your workout.
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Drinking Sugary Sports Drinks
Despite what you may have been led to believe by Gatorade advertisements, experts agree that guzzling sports drinks after a workout is not the best way to go—in fact, the high amounts of sugar found in these drinks can completely undermine your workout efforts. "Most people tend to take energy or sport drinks after exercises as a way of replenishing the lost fluids and electrolytes," Komova notes. "Though they can be effective in restoring body fluids, sport drinks are high in sugars and artificial sweeteners that add up your calorie intake slowing your weight loss process in the long run as the burnt calories are immediately replaced after working out." Yikes!
"While these drinks may seem like a healthy choice, they contain quite a bit of sugar and empty calories which can definitely sabotage your weight loss goals," Cavalla echoes. While calories certainly aren't always bad (you need a certain about each day in order for your body to function properly, after all!) it's always better to get them from nourishing, high-protein food rather than processed snacks or drinks such as these, which can ruin your metabolism. Meier points out that "the high amounts of calories and sugar can make it harder to lose weight because these calories are easy to consume and will not fill you up the same as from food."
So, there you have it—don't let marketing fool you! While drinks like Gatorade and Powerade can certainly taste refreshing, they're likely not the best after-workout beverage. "Most people think these drinks are hydrating and are replenishing electrolytes but unless you are working out for an extremely long time at high intensities and sweating profusely, hydrating with water is the best option!" Cavalla explains. Komova suggests opting for coconut water, which "increases hydration levels and replaces the lost electrolytes to lower side effects of intense workouts like muscle pain and tiredness." Who knew?!
If you really want to replace your electrolytes with a sports drink, Cavalla suggests you "choose a low-sugar or sugar free option and still make sure to drink plenty of water." Noted!
