Eat Well
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Why upping your intake of water could help you lose weight and feel much better If you find that you're constantly craving snacks during the day, have you ever stopped to consider that you may be dehydrated?

The persistent desire to graze on things like crisps and cakes - which could be the reason why you're finding it hard to shift those extra pounds! - may actually be caused by a lack of water in the body, something which the brain mistakenly interprets as hunger.

Although the Food Standards Agency and other organisations recommend that we should be drinking between six and eight 250ml glasses of water a day, the reality is that many of us don't even come close to this.

However with the human body made up of as much as two-thirds H20, perhaps it could be time to change your ways.

We need water each day to flush toxins from the body, lubricate the eyes and joints and keep our skin healthy, and it needs to be replenished regularly. In fact, according to the Guild of Colon Hydrotherapists (GCH), by the time you feel thirsty, your body might have already lost between two and five cups of it.

Common symptoms include headaches, trouble concentrating and dry skin, as well as really dark urine, so you might want to up your intake if this sounds familiar.

Drinking all this water might sound daunting, but don't forget that you don't have to drink it all at once - in fact, it's important not to or you might develop kidney problems.

Instead, get into the habit of filling your glass or drinking bottle at regular times during the day and make it a habit.

The GCH suggests having a glass as soon as you get up, one with every meal and regular sips from a bottle on your desk at work, as well as more if you do any exercise.

If you really don't like the taste on its own, you can dilute it with a very small amount of fruit squash or opt for green tea. However, try to avoid coffee and energy drinks, as these are diuretics and promote water loss.

Don't forget that eating water-rich fruit and veg such as pears can also help to prevent dehydration too, plus they will be better for you than your usual snacks.

And finally, the GCH points out that drinking water “often curbs the appetite and it is calorie-free”, so you may find it easier than ever to lose weight and beat cellulite, as well as feel great thanks to all those extra fluids!