A proportion of our body is made up of water, on average 60% in fact. Some of the water is lost through breathing, urination and perspiration and therefore needs to be replaced through our diet. It helps to flush out toxins from our vital organs, and helps us to feel healthier and fitter. If you do not consume enough water through your diet from drinks or fruit and vegetables you will become dehydrated and may suffer from headaches, become more tired and have lapses of concentration. If you have persistent dehydration you may have a tendency to be constipated or may even get kidney stones. The best thing about water is that is has no calories at all, it is readily available and it is inexpensive.
The amount of water that you drink will need to be adjusted dependent on your current health, exercise regime and the weather. If you are a healthy person, make sure that you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Have a glass of water as soon as you wake up. It is a wonderful way to start your day. Keep a bottle of water with you during the day, and remember to refill it when it is empty. Water is essential in helping in the growth and maintenance of our bodies and without it our body would not survive.
At mealtimes, drink a glass of water before and during your meals. Do not gulp you glass of water down, sip it. You will feel fuller quicker and the water will help with digesting the food.
Avoid sweetened bottle drinks, especially sodas. They have high sugar content and sugar means calories. Sugar stimulates the production of insulin in our bodies and it causes the body to store fat rather than burn it. If you must drink sodas, then stick to diet sodas.
Include in your diet fruit and vegetables that contain more water. Cucumber, tomatoes and watermelons contain 90 to 95 % water. If you feel like snacking in between meals eat pieces of cucumber or melon they will help to suppress your appetite until the next meal time, without adding on the pounds.
