Water Aids Weight Management and Loss

• Foods with a high water content increase fullness, thereby leading us to eat less food which results in a reduced calorie intake.

• Drinking water fills the stomach between meals and satisfies the thirst that was formerly met by eating extra food which contains water.

• Water helps the gastrointestinal tract adapt to a high-fiber diet which is cornerstone to weight loss and optimal nutrition.

The human body is made up of 50 to 75 percent water, so replacing your body’s fluid balance each day is crucial for proper function. The average adult loses about two and a half quarts or about 10 cups of water daily. Thirst is NOT a reliable signal that your body needs more water. By the time you feel thirsty, 2 or more cups of body fluids may be gone.

Tips for Drinking Enough Water Each Day

• Take a water break instead of a coffee break.

• Keep a cup or bottle of water handy at your desk.

• Take a drink whenever you walk by a water fountain.

• Keep a bottle of water in your backpack or tote bag.

• Eat lots of foods with a high water content.

• All fluids like juice, tea, soup, and even coffee count.

While many food and beverages often contain water and therefore add to one's daily intake, the caffeine in coffee and other caffeinated beverages have a diuretic effect, thereby increasing water loss through urination. The more caffeine, the greater the potential for increased water loss. To make sure that you are following the wise old advice to “drink plenty of fluids,” drink enough fluids so that your urine is clear and pale in color. If your urine is deep yellow, you may not be drinking enough.