Brrr.....Winter's here.  What's in your mug to warm you up?  Dr. Peter Gott, author of the nationally syndicated newspaper column, Ask Dr. Gott, has some ideas of about what to drink and not gain weight.  In his new book, Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook,  he points out that 90% of us drink some caffeine daily--coffee, tea, chocolate, energy or power drinks and caffeinated waters.

An 8oz cup of coffee holds zero calories and 100mg of caffeine.  One to two cups is safe each day.  Dr. Gott states that more than this could possibly raise blood sugar levels, affecting the body's metabolism, thus slowing down the fat-burning process.  After the caffeine burns off, about six hours later, your body goes into a down mode, needing a picker-upper--usually in the afternoon.  Don't eat that box of candy!  Instead have a piece of fruit or some crackers and a piece of cheese.

Tea has about half the caffeine of coffee and is calorie free.  Containing antioxidants and flavonoids, studies show that it will effectively fight free radicals reducing risk of some cancers.  Especially beneficial--green tea.  In Japan even the children drink green tea.  A crushed powdered form known as matcha is sometimes mixed with milk for them.

The cacao bean, cultivated for its role in an alcoholic drink, was first drunk in the Americas between 1400 and 1100 B.C.E.  It wasn't until much later that we began to call it hot cocoa. Hot chocolate or cider, both great for health have high sugar content, putting you at risk for diabetes and obesity.  Make these occasional treats, reminiscent of childhood days.

Other hot flavorful drinks to indulge with--white coffee (boiled water with 2t orange blossom water), herb teas (chamomile, mint, sage, etc...), hot water with lemon, oolong tea.  These are all caffeine and 99% calorie free, adding the benefits of good health from their natural properties.

Drink Up!

Update on Nov 27, 2007 by At Basil & Spice

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