How to cure binge eating article series continues with part 5. Today, we're talking about water and how drinking it may help you battle binge eating. We discussed the effects of coffee and tea consumption on Monday; it was suggested that hot, energy-free beverages have a filling effect because of their watery composition. But hey, you don't have to get your water in the form of coffee and tea. You can have water itself.
Across the plate, regardless of diet or lifestyle choices, everyone is encouraging and encouraged to drink more water. People seem to be getting too little of it. So if you do increase your water intake, your choice will be approved of by literally everyone - unless you already drink 600 ounces per day (yes, there's a thing called too much water, believe it or not. More of this below). But generally, most people drink too little. Everyone from doctors to nutritionists to health gurus recommed you drink at least 70 ounces of water per day.
The health benefits are obvious: your body needs water to dissolve minerals and nutrients and such; your kidneys need it to function; your body fluids remain in balance; it will reduce bloating; and so on. But wait, there's more! If you suffer from excess eating, drinking water will fill your stomach, which in turn signals your brain that there's no room for food, eliminating your desire to eat. Quite handy. You probably already knew this.
But here's the rub: people often find it hard to remember to drink water, AND it tastes kind of bland. Both of these are problems not to be underestimated - after all, why would your brain go out of its way to remind you to do something that's hard, inconvenient, or flavorless?
In the problem lies the solution!
If you have a problem with remembering to drink water, put an empty water bottle by the kitchen sink in the evening. You'll see it in the morning, remember why you left it there, fill it up, take it with you, and have it next to you all day so you see it constantly. Seeing it reminds your brain to drink it. You'll start to empty the bottle half without realizing it.
If you have a problem with the taste of water, spice it up. Mix one third of sparkling water and two thirds of regular. Add cucumber slices, cranberries, lime, lemon juice, ice cubes, MSM powder - whatever you can think of. Make the taste exciting and desirable. You'll find it a joy to consume the day's quota of water, and you'll get some extra vitamins in the process.
There's no trade-off - unless you drink too much or too fast, in which case you risk a electrolyte imbalance in your body, which may cause brain swelling, which may be fatal; more on this here.
RK
