Hydration Health - Beating Obesity
The three main causes of obesity are genes, poor diet and lack of exercise. Poor hydration can be a big factor as well.
Some people are born with genes that make them hungrier while others have genes that decrease appetite. Even if you have the gene that makes you hungry all the time, you can do things to help yourself.
For example, instead of eating 3 big meals, eat 5 or 6 small ones instead. Your body can digest food better in smaller quantities because it doesn't have to work as hard. This is your metabolism at work. When you eat smaller meals more often, your hunger pangs won't be as prevalent and you'll be less likely to binge.
We have no control over our genes, but recognizing poor diet as a major factor is a great start. Sugar is a major cause of weight gain. Some sodas contain as much as 17 teaspoons of sugar in a 20 ounce serving. And beware of fat free products. When the fat is removed, sugar is often used to replace the flavor when the fat is taken out.
So take a look at your diet and try to eat less processed foods. Foods high in fiber such as whole wheat bread helps move fat through the digestive tract so less fat gets absorbed in the cells. Fruit, vegetables, whole grain, legumes are your best bets for unprocessed foods. Try it and you will find that you may eat more, but consume fewer calories which will lead to weight loss.
Many obese people get very little if any exercise. Obesity doesn't happen overnight, and most obese adults are either over weight or obese as children. Our children are bombarded by ads for junk food and sodas.
There are now more than one hundred so called energy drinks. Most are loaded with sugar and caffeine. It is important that we educate our children and get them active in sports and other activities. If you are an obese adult, start slowly and don't over exert yourself. The key point is do something and do it regularly.
If you do not drink water before or during meals, the process of food digestion that requires so much water removes the water from the cells of your body.
The brain's central control system, when it recognizes low energy levels, it sends a signal to drink water. Unfortunately, this signal is often felt as hunger, so we eat, and eat, and eat. We eat when we should drink water. When we drink water before meals, it is easier to separate the feelings. If you have a weight problem, drink water when you feel hungry. Eat only at regularly scheduled meal times, and drink 16 ounces of water before meals.
When it comes to obesity, proper hydration can play an important role. One thing you can do is drink 8 to 16 eight ounce units of water, 30 minutes before each meal. You won't feel as hungry and won't feel like eating more.