Hungry or Thirsty?

When you feel a little hungry and lacking energy, do you reach for a bite to eat or a glass of water? Chances are you reach for food when your body might just be telling you it's thirsty.

So your stomach might grumble or you've already eaten and still don't feel satisfied, then it's probably water your body is after. Livestrong.com recommends:

Try not to depend on the noises and feelings your stomach always makes. The next time you feel hunger pangs, drink an 8 oz. glass of water. It might take up to 15 minutes for your hypothalamus to send a signal letting your nervous system know that the body was merely thirsty and that the thirst has been satisfied. If after that time, you still feel hungry, then eat. When you try this method every time you think your stomach feels empty, you will be able to better determine the difference between being hungry and being thirsty.

 

 

Staying hydrated can help you take in less calories. From care2.com:

 

If you avoid dehydration, you can avoid overeating. When you start to hydrate by drinking enough water, then your appetite goes down because you’re actually fulfilling what your body needs—which is water. And that’s also a very powerful way to lose weight, but also, in a sense, the hydration makes everything, including your brain, work a lot better.

On a personal note, since I stopped drinking diet sodas (and added more hydrating drinks) four years ago, maintaining my weight has been the easiest since I started worrying about it in college!


Action Item: Drink real beverages today. Especially water!

For Further Reading: Sugary Drinks