Does Diet Soda Really Cause Weight Gain? What Experts Say

can drinks make you gain weight

You might not know exactly what’s in the tub when you buy protein powder, either. As a supplement, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) leaves it up to manufacturers to evaluate the safety and labeling of products. So, there’s no way to know if a protein powder contains what manufacturers claim. Generally, glands in your body release the right amount of hormones at an exact time, which send messages to your tissues.

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can drinks make you gain weight

Drinking alcohol can impair the functions of your glands that release hormones, which may cause weight gain. If you’re concerned about unintentional weight gain, contact a healthcare provider who can help you identify underlying factors contributing to unintended weight gain. Too much protein can eventually lead to problems like nutrient imbalances, dehydration, kidney damage, and heart disease, especially if you get most of your protein from animal-derived sources versus plant-based ones. Here is a list of the top weight gain shake ingredients by nutrient type.

can drinks make you gain weight

You can still enjoy drinking

  • This shake may be too big to drink in one sitting, but you can split it into multiple servings and drink it within 24 hours.
  • Plus, the caffeine from the coffee makes this smoothie a great pre-workout drink.
  • Here, too, a trend of increasing numbers on the scale and waistlines was seen.
  • Overall, this means that chocolate, regardless of the type, can contribute to weight gain if you eat large quantities of it too often.

You can enjoy this tasty pumpkin pie protein smoothie at any time of year, especially as a comforting between-meal snack or workout recovery drink. Although plant-based protein powders have historically been panned as chalky and flavorless, their taste and palatability have greatly improved. The addition of ground flaxseed provides a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may boost heart, joint, and digestive health (5).

Will I Lose Weight if I Stop Drinking?

Fats and oils are some of the most calorie-dense foods on the planet (30). Try this mac and cheese recipe that uses 1 cup (125 g) of shredded cheddar cheese and provides 314 calories in every serving. Just one large avocado provides around 365 calories, 30 g of fat, and 17 g of fiber (22). Dried fruit contains lots of fiber and most of its vitamins and minerals remain intact when dried (19).

Not taking into account some of these potential confounding factors can certainly lead to biased estimates of the relationship between alcohol intake and body weight given that large inter-individual variations exist. In summarizing the recent literature it appears that light-to-moderate alcohol intake is less likely to be a risk factor for obesity than heavy drinking. Heavy drinking and binge drinking have been more consistently linked with adiposity.

The Research Part 2: The Observational Studies

Each 1/2 cup (170 gram) serving of plain, whole milk Greek yogurt will give you 165 calories and 15 g of protein, and that’s before you add all your delicious combos and toppings (29). You can can drinks make you gain weight add unflavored whey protein to dishes such as soups, mashed potatoes, and oatmeal to increase protein content. There are also ready-to-drink “clear” protein supplement beverages that use easily dissolved and digested protein isolates. Whey protein supplements and mass gainers (supplements that might help you gain muscle mass) can be effective strategies to gain weight, especially when combined with strength training. Salmon and other oily fish are a great source of incredibly beneficial omega-3 fats.

  • Just make sure to monitor your portion sizes and enjoy them in moderation, especially if you’re trying to lose weight.
  • Research has found that light-to-moderate alcohol intake does not cause weight gain.

can drinks make you gain weight

“Fruit juices have a higher glycemic index (GI) as compared to fresh, whole fruits, so they spike up the GI faster,” Gervacio says while breaking down the issue. This scrumptious shake uses Greek yogurt as the main protein source and includes high calorie ingredients like peanut butter and honey to promote weight gain. Because both of these studies were observational, it is impossible to say if the diet sodas played a direct role in the weight gain. Another study often cited in the news stories and blog postings followed people in San Antonio, Texas and showed that those who drank more diet sodas gained more weight over time.

can drinks make you gain weight

There’s a risk that by adding unnecessary protein powder to your diet, you could simply increase your calorie intake, which Bensley explains could lead to weight gain and elevated blood sugars. Some evidence suggests that eliminating alcohol among people who drink heavily helps control weight. In a study published in 2018, people who stopped drinking lost 1.6% more weight than those who did not change their alcohol intake.

  • Eating a diet rich in protein is one way to promote weight gain, especially in the context of increasing muscle mass.
  • Results of these studies have been varied and do not provide a clear picture.
  • Beyond adding energy to a meal, alcohol may actually stimulate food intake 5.
  • Finally, recommendations for future research are provided to promote a better understanding of the possible obesity-promoting effects of energy intake from alcohol.
  • Choosing a higher-calorie protein powder and blending it with milk, fruits, pitted dates, seeds, and nut butter can create an energy-dense shake that supports muscle growth and weight gain.
  • At the end of the month, the chocolate milk group had gained significantly more weight.

These can be paired with compatible diet pills as well for better results. Discovered way back in 1767, carbonated water became the beverage of choice for many—its only reported downfall (until now) was its acidic nature, which can take a toll on your tooth enamel. Dentists have always been quick to dispel this issue by highlighting soft drinks, in comparison, are about 100 times more erosive for teeth.