We really encourage people to drink water because it’s a fundamental component of weight loss.  Our brains are wired so that thirst is often mistaken for hunger.  Staying well hydrated is therefore an easy way to stave off hunger.  Before reaching for a high fat, high calorie snack, have 8 oz of water.  If you’re still hungry 20 minutes later, then it’s likely actual hunger, but you may often be surprised that the drinking alone knocked out the snack hunger pangs.

If you have some water 15-30 minutes before eating, you will likely eat less at the subsequent meal.  Again, you knock the edge off the hunger and the water will fill up your stomach a little bit, so you’ll end up eating less.  Drinking very cold ice-water 3-4 times per day may also help boost your metabolism.  Your body actually has to burn calories to raise your body temperature back up after your core temperature is dropped by the ice-water.  While this is only a temporary effect, every calorie burned is a few less you have to worry about, so why not try it? 

Did you know that even slight dehydration can be a major contributor to fatigue?  It’s true!  Steadily drinking water throughout the day so that you maintain a good level of hydration can really give you an energy boost (which of course will give you the kick you need to exercise…. just sayin’).  Dehydration is also one of the primary common causes of headaches.  So water will make me more energetic with fewer headaches?  Sign me up!

The best thing about water of course, is that it’s cheap, it has no calories and no carbonation.  While I freely admit that our local water is fairly revolting tasting, you’d be amazed how good it becomes with a simple tap filter you can buy at WalMart for about $12 and replace every 3 months or so.  Somewhat counter-intuitively, drinking lots of water can help keep bloating and swelling down.  Because drinking more water will make you urinate more and urinating also eliminates sodium, you end up overall with less swelling-causing saltwater in your body.  The decrease in bloating comes from the number one worst complication of even mild dehydration: constipation.  Drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day can eliminate constipation in many people without medications or fiber supplements.

What will water not do?  It contains a few minerals, but overall doesn’t have a whole lot of nutrients.  I’ve never understood exactly what “toxins” people claim are flushed out by water (or by enemas, but that’s a different subject) so that’s a myth.  Water won’t prevent cancer.  And as mentioned earlier, bottled water is no healthier than tap water.

But with those few caveats, water is a cheap, universally available diet aide.  Try it! You may establish a habit for life