what you drink

The way you drink

NATURAL WEIGHT LOSS

THE EASY WAY TO SLIM

HEALTHY RECIPES

THE RIGHT WAY TO EAT

POPULAR DIETS

HEALTHY COOKING

EXERCISE & CLUBS

SKIN CARE

THINK SLIM BE SLIM

BODY MASS INDEX

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As with tips on eating the following are only general guidelines. Follow the ones you are happy with. No advice on any subject is any good unless it fits naturally in with what you want to do.

Drink more water
Most people don't drink enough fluids. I know you've heard it before but it's true. Our natural diet used to supply us with fluids via our food - in fruit and vegetables - but nowadays we eat less of these foods and need to make it up. Just because you don't feel thirsty doesn't mean you don't need more fluids. Ironically, dehydration makes us feel less thirsty and as you get used to drinking more you will find your thirst returning to normal over a period of time. A figure often bandied around is two litres of water a day, but this may be a bit much. Start with a more achievable, say, three glasses of water in addition to your normal fluid intake and then see where you want to take it from there. At least you will be moving in the right direction. Remember that feelings of hunger are often just thirst in disguise. There isn't any real evidence that bottled water is better than tap water so it won't matter which you choose.
Fruit and vegetable juices
Are good and can count towards your daily fluid intake. Try to buy cold pressed juices if possible, or even make your own with a liquidiser. Incidentally, fresh fruit and vegetables are, by themselves, good natural sources of fluid.
Coffee and tea.
These popular

stimulants can be difficult to cut out completely. But then they don't have to be. If you really enjoy your cuppa it won't do any harm to carry on with them but try to keep to three cups a day if you can. Their main problem is they stimulate urine production and tend to cause dehydration. Tea and coffee can't count towards you daily fluid intake. Herbal tea's like peppermint and alfalfa etc. are excellent alternatives to drink in their place.
Chew your liquids
As it's good policy to chew your solids properly, so it's good practice to chew your liquids. I'm not talking about water here but things like soups etc. Liquids need to be mixed with saliva for the same same reasons that solids do. Try to 'chew' your liquids and 'drink' your solids.
Alcohol
A day without wine is a day without sunshine. Maybe not literally true but alcohol is certainly a good friend when used wisely. Most drinks are OK when used in moderation, particularly good wines and real ales. The things to avoid are the drinks that contain additives such as, for example, most commercially produced ciders. Real cider is a nice drink, but look at the label on the stuff you buy from your local store - it's usually got added sugar and sweetener. We get too much sugar thrown at us as it is.
Fizzy drinks and soda etc.
These are the closest things to a complete no no on this list. They contain added sugars and artificial sweeteners and other things that we don't want in our diet. Replace them with carbonated mineral water.
Enjoy your food and drink
Strawberries are nicer with cream than with skimmed milk and I like french fries with a lot of things (not strawberries though). But seriously, you must enjoy what you eat or you won't stick with your diet for life. Treat yourself now and then and enjoy being your natural weight.

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