24 Is it really necessary to drink 8 glasses of water per day while dieting?
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This article is from the Diet FAQ, by Claudia McCreary cookignnewsletter@chef.net with numerous contributions by others.
24 Is it really necessary to drink 8 glasses of water per day while dieting?
Many physicians, dietitians, diet plans, etc. recommend that you drink 6-8
glasses (8 oz./glass) of water per day, quoting one or more of the following
reasons:
* Most people already drink far less fluids than they should, and dieters in
particular should avoid the physical stress that dehydration can cause.
* You can be dehydrated without being thirsty; drinking this amount of water
ensures adequate levels of hydration.
*Fluids temporarily distend your stomach, relieving the hunger pangs that
some dieters experience.
Well, maybe. You should definitely drink whenever thirsty, and if you
exercise regularly (as you certainly should), then it's an excellent idea to
drink an extra glass of water both before and after you exercise. (Sipping
cool water during exercise is also great, but may be impractical.) An easy
way to tell if you're getting enough fluids is to check the color of your
urine in the toilet bowl: if it's colorless or light yellow then you're
adequately hydrated; if it's medium or dark yellow, you need to drink more.
There's also a lot of controversy about whether you must drink only water,
or if other fluids (Gatorade, fruit juices, diet pop, etc.) are acceptable.
Gatorade and other "exercise drinks" are expensive ways to get sugar and
minerals that you probably don't need unless you exercise for long
periods (at least 90 minutes at a time); the calories from fruit juices can
add up quickly, especially when ingested in large amounts; some varieties of
soda pop (and coffee and tea) contain caffeine that you really don't need,
and the carbonation can cause cramping in some
people. Your best (and cheapest!) bet is plain water.
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