“Eat water and grow thin,” one ad says. Another says, “Water, a cure all for weight loss.” These and others like them reflect the popular notion that drinking lots of water is the key to losing weight. However, experts disagree, saying that no research has found that water helps a person lose weight.
Water is essential to our bodies. A health and weight conscious population has begun drinking more water in recent times as a means of losing weight. The advent of bottled water has made it more convenient to drink water. As a result, some people never leave the house without carrying a bottle of water.
Many people go on a water fast during which they consume nothing but water for a few days. And they do lose weight, however during the fast their metabolism slows down since the body is designed to conserve food for lean times. Then when the person goes back on his regular pattern of eating, the fat cells in the body begin to store fat in case there should be another period of fasting. Result? The person regains the weight and adds some more.
Another popular belief is that drinking water before meals causes a person to eat less, thus helping him/her to lose weight. However, experts claim that there is no research to support this. The only way, they say, that drinking water can help a person lose weight is if they substitute water for high-calorie beverages or foods. A more healthy alternative would be to fill up on foods with high water content such as fruits, vegetables and broth-based soups.
Weight loss with water is only temporary for reasons listed above, and also if the person is not willing to make healthy, lifestyle changes. The best way to lose weight is always to take in fewer calories than you expend. The healthy way to do this is not by drinking water, but by eating a balanced diet which does include water.
Barbara Rolls, PhD, a professor at Penn State University advises that the best way to lose weight is to fill up on foods that are high in water content. These foods provide that satiety feeling and prevents the person from overeating. Foods with high water content are also low in calories. For example, fruit juices, soups (not the creamy kinds), broths, fruit, vegetables and grain are some of these.
There are creative ways to incorporate these foods in the diet and add volume without adding calories. Add water-rich blueberries to breakfast cereal; vegetables to a pasta dish; eat more green salads; substitute water, sparkling or flat for alcoholic drinks and calorie-rich sodas. By following this and an exercise plan, a person can lose weight in an easy and natural way.