Do drinks every count as meals?

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alicerabbit
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Do drinks every count as meals?

Post by alicerabbit » Fri Nov 16, 2012 10:56 am

Can I drink coffee, soft drinks, milkshakes etc on n days? Do they count as meals or not?

Also, sometimes I have smoothies for breakfast, so now I am confusing myself a bit with drawing a line as to what is and isn't a meal..

Please help

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Sixty
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Post by Sixty » Fri Nov 16, 2012 12:06 pm

Hi Alicerabbit,

I think a drink is considered a sweet if the calories are mainly from sugar. So a Coke is clearly a sweet, and I would guess a milk shake is as well. I don't think some sugar in a coffee is considered a problem, since the absolute number of calories is so small. Focus on the big stuff.

One contested drink here on the forum is hot chocolate - some consider it a sweet, others don't.

So basically you need to decide for yourself what you consider a sweet, and then try to stick to your own guidelines.

wosnes
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Post by wosnes » Fri Nov 16, 2012 2:04 pm

With the exception of smoothies, none of the drinks you mention are considered meals. Soft drinks and milk shakes would be considered sweets and therefor appropriate for S days only.

Water, unsweetened juices, milk, coffee, and tea can be consumed at any time, including between meals and are not considered a snack.
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oolala53
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Post by oolala53 » Sat Nov 17, 2012 7:28 pm

Think of a drink as something you can make without a blender, something that is basically water-based. A blender is basically "chewing" solid food for you. Thus a smoothie is a perfectly acceptable meal, but not a beverage per se. If you couldn't drink it a hundred years ago, it probably isn't a beverage.

I personally regard juices as off limits because I prefer the whole fruit. But I am in the hot chocolate or mocha is okay crowd and have been for nearly 3 years with acceptable results. I don't drink soda often but do opt for the artificial sweeteners in them when I do, dang my soul. I'd rather chew my sugar.
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Over43
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Post by Over43 » Thu Nov 22, 2012 4:48 am

I use Swiss Miss No Sugar hot chocolate. It's 70 calories, I drop a teaspoon of decaf instant coffee in it and I have a mocha. I'm not a big hot chocolate lover. I guess that's my version of adding Coke to rum. I "indulge" in this 2-3 times a month so I don't sweat it.

Liquid calories are a real "killer." I thought I could sneak through with a Coke a day, not a good idea. I have also noticed, for me, that liquid calories make me hungrier later in the day. So, even things like a Slim-fast shake for breakfast, or even a "heavier" protein shake doesn't work. That's me though.

If you are in doubt, just try to not drink it.
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M's sick of dieting
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Post by M's sick of dieting » Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:44 pm

I guess I try not to drink calories. I'd much rather eat them. The only time I do is if I'm trying to make it to my next meal and then it's like coffee with a little cream and sugar, or maybe small glass of milk. I try to keep it under 100 calories. For me liquid calories is a kiss of failure for weightloss, it's too easy to have too much.

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