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Want to lose weight? Start by ensuring you drink enough water, says this nutritionist

Weight loss diets and foods might be your best bet for losing weight, but the truth is that if you are not hydrated enough—losing those kilos will be terribly difficult for you.
water for fever
Drink plenty of water to get rid of the toxins! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Ruchi Sharma Published: 6 Oct 2020, 06:50 pm IST
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Whenever we talk about weight loss, we look at the foods that need to be consumed and ones that need to be avoided. But have you ever heard about the importance of staying hydrated while you’re striving to shed those extra kilos? 

Yes, eating certain foods in the right proportions can get you those perfect curves, but you also need to maintain the optimum hydration levels if you need to lose weight. 

Hydration is the key to making every weight loss diet successful
And nothing hydrates you better than plain water. Despite nutritionists highlighting how crucial water is, most of us still don’t drink enough of it. Even though plain water is not considered to be a nutrient officially, it is important to maintain our blood volume balance and overall well being. 

On an average, we must aim to get at least 2 to 2.5 liters of water per day to avoid dehydration. This comes down to almost eight to 10 glasses of water when you break it down.

Dehydration tends to cause fatigue and dizziness that make your energy levels drop and you’re less likely to feel like exercising. By making sure you intake enough water every day, you will be astonished at how much more focused, alert, and energized you will feel.

drinking water to lose weight
Stay hydrated to stay fit. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Here’s how drinking water can help you lose weight
Water is especially important for people who are trying to attain healthy weight loss, as it improves your gut health. This helps in eliminating fat from the body more effectively and efficiently. As a result, drinking enough water helps to flush out toxins from your system. 

Proper water intake also tends to reduce fluid retention and so it helps to decrease appetite and enhance the feeling of satiety.

Did you know, people often misunderstand thirst for hunger? So, if you feel like grabbing a snack to fulfill your cravings, try to drink a glass of water first. It will most probably satisfy your cravings and stop you reaching for unwanted calories. 

Water also helps to boost your metabolism and cleanse off waste from your body. And since it is an appetite suppressant, drinking a glass of water before a meal will make you feel full and hence reducing the number of consumed calories.

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Hydration doesn’t mean binging on sweet beverages
Kick the sodas and juices away and replace them with water. The added sugars in these beverages will add to your calorie consumption and thus hinder weight loss. If you think water tastes too boring to be consumed alone, add a piece of lemon to it. 

drinking water to lose weight
Drinking soda is out of the question. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Lemon water also helps with weight loss, because pectins present in lemon help to suppress food cravings and thus reducing unwanted inches and pounds.

So here is a little guide on how staying hydrated is important during your weight loss journey. Hydration is the key to lose weight in a healthy way, so stay healthy and stay hydrated.

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About the Author

Ruchi Sharma is an Udaipur-based nutritionist and founder of EAT.FIT.REPEAT ...Read More

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