Do you have a few extra pounds? If so, what's to blame? Ice cream? Bread? Too many second helpings? CafeMom reports that liquid calories may be the biggest culprit when it comes to weight gain.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that a reduction in liquid calorie consumption can lead to weight loss.

Keep an eye on those sugar-sweetened sodas, whipped cream topped coffees and sugary fruit drinks, because they can add calories you might not realize you're consuming. And don't be fooled by vitamin and antioxidant-enriched drinks -- they can still be high in sugar and calories.

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Back in the day, when I started playing basketball, I had two choices for drinks -- water or Gatorade, with a choice of Orange or Lemon-Lime. There might've been Fruit Punch, too, but I am not a fan.

Anyway, just as I've expanded my interests from strictly basketball to a variety of sports and fitness endeavors, Gatorade is stepping it up, too. "Just like any good athlete, Gatorade is taking it to the next level. Whether you're in it for the win, for the thrill or for better health, if your body is moving, Gatorade sees you as an athlete, and we're inviting you into the brand," said Gatorade's chief marketing officer.

And this brand is sporting a whole new attitude. Today's athletes want choices beyond a variety of flavors, and that's just what Gatorade is putting out there. The new names for the different types of Gatorade aim to convey the attitude of a tough-love coach or trainer, which will be evident on the new labels.

With so much conflicting diet and fitness information swirling around out there, it's nice to stumble upon a consistent thought now and then.

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Recent research shows that when elementary schools ban soft drinks, the improvement in kids' health is minimal.

Schools who have removed soda vending machines have done so in an effort to improve student health. But research shows that fifth graders who attend schools where soda is banned consume only 4% less than students who have access to soda at school.

As far as I'm concerned, 4% is 4% is 4%. It may be a small improvement, but it's an improvement none-the-less. And since soda bans are relatively recent -- starting in 2003 in California -- I think time will still tell. It takes time to change kids' tastes and preferences. Parents just have to get on board, too, and save soda for the rare treat or avoid it altogether.

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Do you ever have those mornings when you just need a sweet coffee-like treat to get started? I'm normally a black coffee, sometimes with a little milk gal, but every once in a while I really want something warm and chocolatey to get me started. Unfortunately, many of those drinks pack a wallop when it comes to the calorie content, and wasting 300 calories on a drink is not the way I like to begin my day.

Fortunately, the folks at Cabaret Brewed Chocolate were nice enough to send me a sample of their product, which is a whole bean beverage. It contains water-brewed whole cocoa beans (cacao) and organic evaporated cane juice. That's it. You mix it into a bit of hot water, and, voila! You have a hot, sweet, chocolate beverage with only 24 calories per serving!

It's not quite like hot chocolate -- it's a little thinner, maybe more like a rich, yummy, chocolate tea. I found that it helped me achieve a relaxed, but focused state, kind of like coffee but without any jitters. Other people report extreme relaxation, and some feel really energized. I found it to be a great way to get a satisfying taste of chocolate without sacrificing my good eating habits.

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Each week, we'll be naming a Super Food and offering unique ways to use those Super Foods that pack nutritional power. After all, you are what you eat -- make it count!

This week's superfood is not technically a food. It's a beverage. But it's the mightiest of all the beverages out there. It's refreshing, calorie-free, inexpensive ... and essential for life. Are we talking about Diet Coke here? No way. This miracle drink is, of course, water -- you know, that clear stuff that comes out of your tap and is sold in plastic bottles on stores.

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As your loving online fitness trainer, I'm constantly searching for fun new products to help you achieve ultimate fitness with the most ease and enjoyment. Thomas Kemper Low Calorie Root Beer, with only 20 calories per 12 ounce bottle, is one of those products. Look. We all know that plain old water is the best beverage in the world health wise. But...I'm a big fan of the no and low calorie drinks as well. I find that a diet soda satisfies my sweet tooth and keeps me from hunting down muffins throughout my day. It keeps me in the teeny jeans I like to wear as well.

Thomas Kemper did a great job creating the perfect low calorie version of their Original Root Beer. It tastes delicious and my die hard root beer loving neighbor guzzled it down to rave reviews, without even knowing it was a low calorie drink! He almost fell off of his chair when I told him it was a 'diet' drink. Having said that, I think his new addiction to Thomas Kemper Low Cal Root Beer is going to help him get rid of his 'regular beer belly'. Such an easy way to lose weight!

Not only is the Low Calorie Root Beer a yummy treat, the bottle will make you feel fancy. It's brown and beige with a cutie logo, and will make you feel like you're sitting on a farm with Wilford Brimley and Huck Finn. Not that those two characters were known to hang out together, but Thomas Kemper will make you feel like they did. It will make you feel like you're all three together on the farm throwing rocks....or something else sweet and old fashioned like that!

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Lemon slices are often standard in some drinks at restaurants. And since lemons are a pretty healthy way to add some tang to your beverage, we don't think twice about this. But experts caution that we should think about what's in--or at least on--that lemon. Recent studies revealed that 77% of lemons were loaded with a number of alarming microrganisms, as well unwanted add-ons like ... ick ... fecal matter.

What do you think? Should we be worried about the lemons at restaurants, or is this another example of a minor issue blown out of proportion?

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As a bit of a self-confessed coffee maniac, I am happy that some of the beverages at Starbucks are going 'skinny', as Bethany pointed out a little while ago. But not everyone is happy about the change. As Diet Blog reports, at least one employee has spoken out about the change.

The source of her frustration? The wording -- the term skinny can have a negative impact on both the customers and employees, especially after being called out loudly countless times a day. Want more info on the complaint? Click here.

I can see her point. It might be embarrassing for some to ask for a skinny beverage-- it's almost like announcing to the whole store that you're on a diet. What do you think?

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Ever had raw milk? It sounds like a simple enough product, but depending on where you live it may be illegal to buy it or sell it. Some 70+ years ago milk caused 25% of all food related illnesses, but with the advent of pasteurization that number dropped sharply to a mere 1%. Raw milk (meaning straight from the cow and unpasteurized) may taste richer, have more natural enzymes, and appeal to many because it's more "natural," but along with those perks comes a much greater risk of ingesting dangerous bacteria like E.coli, salmonella, and others. Currently 15 states in the U.S. outlaw the selling of raw milk, and many others have severe laws and restrictions.

Raw milk is becoming more and more popular every day -- people are showing that they want it bad enough that they're either ready to deal with all the red tape or they're finding ways around the laws altogether and basically buying it on the black market. What do you think? Should people have the choice to buy what they want or should it be against the law?

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It's another example of a good product getting changed and twisted for all the wrong reasons: PepsiCo has announced that due to popular demand it will soon begin selling a "diet" version of the popular sports drink Gatorade.

It's not that I'm fundamentally against low-sugar drinks (Gatorade has always tasted a little too sweet to me anyway) but the whole principle behind Gatorade is that it provides an energy boost (read: calories), electrolytes, and hydration to athletes who really push it to the limits. So when would you need a diet Gatorade? Is it really the same thing anymore? It might as well be a Diet Coke Plus, but available in a variety of fruit flavors.


Via Diet Blog

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I honestly can't decide if I think this gadget is handy or hilarious. On one hand, a "tool belt" for water bottles does sound nifty, but how many separate beverage options do you really need in the average workout? It could be used for the added weight I guess, and of course if you're training for something like a marathon -- but wouldn't it all get warm and gross after awhile? I honestly have never trained for any extreme long-distance sports, so maybe this is appealing to people who have? And after all, if Fergie likes it...

The 6-Bottle Terminator FuelBelt holds six 7oz bottles for your choice of liquids or gels, for a total of 42 oz. of hydration. The bottles are evenly distributed around the entire belt, and it's fully adjustable with lumbar support. All that for about $32.

via FitSugar

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While caffeine has been reported to boost energy and endurance during long-distance activities such as 10-K runs, it may hinder your efforts on shorter, more intense workouts.

According to a recent study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, researchers gave either 6 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight (approximately three cups of strong coffee for a 130-pound woman) or a placebo to 17 men and women, then evaluated them on two one-minute maximum effort cycling tests. The group that received the actual caffeine had higher blood levels of lactic acid produced by overworked muscles; it also took them considerably longer than the uncaffeinated cyclers to reach "peak power" (pedaling all out).

If you're planning exercise like sprints or a few rounds of boxing, save the Coke for later. *On that note, Coca-Cola products will soon be labeling all of their beverages for caffeine content. Just another great move on behalf of corporate America which allows you smart fitness-minded consumers to make educated choices.

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There have been a lot of stories lately about the benefits of alcohol, usually wine. But the good news is that many of those great benefits can also be had by drinking the occasional beer. That little bottle of goodness can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, raise your good cholesterol, and reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. There are even benefits for the elderly -- with research showing that beer can have positive effects on blood flow, sleep, and urination.

Beer is fat free, cholesterol free, and definitely what many people consider a lot of fun to drink. Just make sure you don't go overboard, or all those "benefits" are right out the window -- with nasty stuff like liver damage and a beer gut stepping in instead.

And for other drinks that may be healthier than you thought, read here.

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