Are You Hungry or Just Thirsty?
Dehydration can trick you into eating more - here's how to outsmart it.
Sometimes— a lot of times, actually— thirst can masquerade as hunger. The cues are similar: you might get a headache, feel lethargic, your stomach may rumble with “hunger” pangs, or you could have difficulty concentrating.
One formula health coaches often suggest for getting adequate hydration is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water every day. (So if you weigh 150 pounds, you’d drink 75 ounces of water.)
If that sounds like a boring chore, these suggestions can make your hydration obligation more enjoyable.
GET A NEW WATER BOTTLE
Invest in a BPA-free, refillable water bottle that you can carry with you, well, everywhere. Snag one that holds 32 ounces, so you just have to remember to fill it approximately twice per day to get 64 ounces down the hatch. One caveat: It’s important not to guzzle lots of water in short periods of time. Though rare, water toxicity (also called water intoxication) is dangerous to the point of being potentially fatal. Rather, aim to drink small amounts steadily throughout the day.
SIP SPICY WATER
Kickstart your day by adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper to your water. It adds flavor and the capsaicin in the cayenne gives your metabolism a little rev. For even more benefits, try Kroma’s Cranberry Hydration Elixir, which contains cayenne pepper along with natural electrolytes (such as magnesium, potassium and sodium) for better absorption, cranberry for a dose of immune-boosting vitamin C, ginger extract to reduce bloating and more.
EAT YOUR WATER
We get it— you can only drink so much. That’s why it’s amazing to know that you can incrementally boost your hydration with water-dense foods, such as cucumbers, watermelon, romaine lettuce, celery, zucchini and bell peppers.
GO FOR BUBBLES
If you normally drink non-carbonated water, replace one of the glasses you drink every day with a glass of seltzer water. While you’re at it, make it feel more festive by using a champagne flute for your non-alcoholic bubbles.
ADD FLAVOR WITH CITRUS JUICE AND HERBS
Infuse your water with flavor by squeezing some lemon, lime or orange into it, then add basil, mint, rosemary or any other herb you dig. Not only will this give your water extra flavor (making you want to drink more), you’ll also get a dose of antioxidants.
STRUCTURE YOUR WATER
Structured water refers to water that has been altered (in something such as this swirl carafe) to form a hexagonal molecular structure, making it more similar to water found in pristine natural sources like mountain streams and waterfalls. There is some research to suggest that structured water is absorbed by cells more efficiently, leading to improved hydration. And proponents say structured water also smells and tastes better than unstructured water.
The 5-Day Reset: Deluxe
Cranberry Hydration Elixir
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