Let's Discuss Water Intake

(Failed) #1

From Lies My Doctor Told Me, Second Edition by Ken Berry, MD

You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day. Or more!

This lie likely comes from a recommendation the Nutrition Council made in the 1940s. That group recommended we ingest 64 ounces of fluids each day, but that recommendation was intended to include the water in the food we eat and in beverages other than water. No research has ever shown that you need a certain amount of clear water each day for health or weight loss. However, it’s probably a good idea for you to drink a few glasses of good water every day. Your thirst mechanism is hard-wired, and it’s very good at telling you how much fluid you need each day. It doesn’t need your help in deciding how much water you should drink.

I’ve been feeling guilty because I simply do not enjoy, so am not, forcing myself to drink when I’m not thirsty.

It’s always seemed counterintuitive to me to say listen to our bodies when eating to satiety, then think we know better when it comes to fluids.

(Bunny) #2

Dr. Berg says drink when you are thirsty, the body knows when it is thirsty? Don’t just drink water to drink water when your not thirsty but it may be a good idea to drink water before doing a lot of heavy physical activity?

Also not a good idea to over-drink water (when you are not thirsty) on a ketogenic diet because it flushes out electrolytes, Apple Cider Vinegar helps the body hold onto potassium (electrolytes).

(Failed) #3

Thanks, Bunny,

I’ll watch these later this morning. Currently, I’m still in bed and hubby’s sleeping beside me. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t appreciate me watching them now.:upside_down_face:

It’s 6am here. I woke up at 3am and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I’ve been reading and learning.

(Libby) #4

I’ve been drinking water and iced tea like it’s going out of style. Pitchers of tea, glass after glass of frosty water. I recently went on a salt binge after reading “The Salt Fix” and while I did have a slight increase in perceived get-up-and-go, it also increased my thirst to crazy levels so have cut back on taking salt by the spoonful. But a few days later I’m still parched. I don’t have any edema. I’m not even urinating that much more. Granted, the weather is hot. I do go outside and sweat some, but nothing near what someone who runs for fun does.

Interestingly, the water intake doesn’t change my hunger. I still get the woozy need to feed at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. like clockwork. I have not dropped any weight for a long while. I had hoped the salt intake would talk to my kidneys about the need for insulin and help mobilize some fatty tissues but so far no luck.

Just thought I would point out salt intake and water drinking are linked at least in my case.

(Allie) #5

I drink when I’m thirsty, but recently it’s been sparkling water and for some reason that is resulting in me drinking more, but still only when thirsty.

(Failed) #6

That’s my preference as well. It seems to sit lighter in my stomach than still water.

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #7

Dr. Noakes was one of the people pushing hydration, especially for athletes, but he found that the sports drink companies spotted a marketing opportunity, and things got so far out of hand that several runners have now died from over-hydrating during long races. Too much fluid can be just as harmful as not enough. Dr. Noakes has now changed his advice to “Drink to thirst.”

It also used to be said that the diuretic effect of caffeine meant that we had to compensate for how much coffee and tea we drank, but recent advice I’ve been encountering suggests that the diuretic effect is actually fairly minimal, so we don’t need to account for it.

#8

I had the issue of drinking too much water. It was like cigarettes. I liked having something in my hand and my mouth when I was feeling anxious. I was flushing out my electrolytes and was not feeling good. I have a 1 L bottle I fill twice a day with ketorade. I don’t let myself have more than those two liters except if Im really thirsty.