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The Importance of Water and Your Diet

| Sarah Sponaugle | ,
Importance of Water and Your Diet

We all want in on any tips and tricks to losing weight and keeping it off, but is drinking water really one of them?? The short answer? Yes and no. If you’re already getting plenty of water, (Awesome! Don’t stop!) incorporating more won’t help you to lose weight. But, if you’ve been slacking in the hydration department, drinking more water could make a big difference in your diet. We explain…

Water boosts your metabolism. Water plays a huge role in every cellular process, and therefore, how your entire body functions. If you are dehydrated, things run a lot less efficiently…including your metabolism. Compare your body to a car. When a car is full of oil and gas, it runs smoothly and efficiently.  The same goes for your body. Even when you’re just a little bit dehydrated, it can cause a significant drop in your metabolism.

Water keeps hunger at bay. The body has a hard time telling the difference between hunger and thirst, so if you’re starving, you might just be dehydrated! Research also shows that drinking a glass of water before a meal helps you to feel full, so naturally, you’ll eat less. In fact, one study showed that individuals who drank water before a meal consumed 75 fewer calories at each meal. Do that for one meal a day, every day of the year, and that adds up to 27,000 calories and an eight-pound weight loss!

Water offers several digestive health benefits. Water helps the kidneys filter and eliminate waste, and therefore, keeps the body from becoming constipated. Also, dehydration is a major contributor to kidney stones (ouch!). When your body doesn’t get enough water, calcium and other minerals do not build up in your urine. Because they are difficult to filter, crystals form and turn into kidney stones.

Are you getting enough water?

Exactly how much water consumption is required to keep your metabolism up and your digestive system functioning properly? It all depends on a few factors including your size, weight, activity level, and where you live. A good rule of thumb is to drink between half an ounce to an ounce of water for each pound you weigh, every day. Go towards the higher end of that range since you live in Florida!

Still not sure you’re getting enough water? Just do the urine check. If your urine is clear or a very light yellow, you’re well hydrated. If it is dark and has an odor, it’s time to hydrate.

Tips for Drinking More Water

Ready to add more water to your diet? Follow these tips…

  • Carry a water bottle with you E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.
  • Switch one cup of coffee or other beverage of choice for a glass of water.
  • Rather than drinking a ton of water at once, drink small amounts of water throughout the day.

Get fit, stay fit at Driven Fit + Sponaugle in South Tampa!

Want more nutrition tips and tricks? Contact Driven Fit + Sponaugle at (813) 440-3016 to learn more about our fitness programs and wellness services. Text (813) 576-1160 to schedule an appointment.

 

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