Healthy Eating / Healthy Living

[alphabassettgrrl]

I'm trying to watch salt intake. I gained a few pounds back a week or two ago, and it's not coming off. Some of that is I haven't been eating well lately, but eating cashews with salt is likely not helping.

I use the agave sweetener in my tea, or honey. Doesn't take much. It's not so much the "fructose" part of HFCS that is evil, it's that "everything is corn". So I'm willing to accept fructose but not the corn part. I haven't had appreciable amounts of soda in ... probably a month or more. I don't remember, haven't kept track, but it's been a while. I bring a gigantic bottle of water with me to class, and try to make sure I finish it by the end of the day.

Now that the weather is nice I'm back to biking and I'm happy about it.

[Disneyphile]

Drinking water has always been an issue for me, so I got a really neat sports cup from Sea World this weekend that I'll be using just for water. I always have problems finishing a glass of water, but I tend to suck drinks through a straw without thinking, so this is perfect. It's also cool - it's semi-transparent blue with Shamu on it and reads, "Believe", so I like looking at it.

I've already finished a whole cup today - it's 32 oz. I was amazed! I didn't force myself to drink it, and it's amazing how I just keep chugging it down. My goal is to stick to a minimum of one a day, since I also enjoy drinking juices, tea, and other stuff that does count towards "8 glasses a day". This is already a triumph for me, because I'd sadly average about a 20 oz. bottle of water every three days.

[katiesue]

I just got a cup thingie that has a camelback tip on the top you drink out of. I've been drinking a ton of water with that. I also like my water cold. A couple of years ago I got a britta cooler on clearance at target. It's definately helped up my water intake. I leave a glass next to the cooler and fill it up whenever I'm passing by and drink it.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Disneyphile

since I also enjoy drinking juices, tea, and other stuff that does count towards "8 glasses a day". This is already a triumph for me, because I'd sadly average about a 20 oz. bottle of water every three days.

Grrrr.
"8 glasses a day" is a myth. There has never been any scientific study to support it. It's not entirely clear where it came from, though a likely candidate and old Nutrition Board recommendation that did recommend that amount of liquid intake per day, but followed by saying that most of that amount you get by eating prepared foods.

If you've seen that keeping hydrated has benefits for you, then that's good, but don't bother worrying about "8 glasses a day", it's bogus.

[katiesue]

Drinking lots of water does tend to make me feel fuller, therefore eating less. And of course it's calorie free.

[Disneyphile]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

If you've seen that keeping hydrated has benefits for you, then that's good, but don't bother worrying about "8 glasses a day", it's bogus.

That's why I put it in quotes. I only drink when I'm thirsty. I don't believe in forced hydration or eating. In fact, some people have poisoned themselves by doing that, throwing off their electrolytes, etc.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

If you've seen that keeping hydrated has benefits for you, then that's good, but don't bother worrying about "8 glasses a day", it's bogus.

Bogus it may be, but studies have also shown that your body needs water before it sends the signals of "thirst." Better to drink a little more water than you need (I'm not talking gallons here, I'm talking a cup or two) than too little.

[Morrigoon]

So I'm at the store the other day, and there's these beautiful sun dresses all over the "normal size" section. (Usual litany of ugly stuff in the "me size" section). Anyway, there was this one style, in a light lavender that was uber cute. They went up to 18, so Sohrshah talks me into trying it on because I'm kinda squeezing into 18Ws these days. Whaddya know, it fit! (It'll fit better in 5 lbs, but it fit )

Then the other day I stepped on a scale, and I'm down to 215. Not a huge accomplishment, as dieting goes, except that I'm not dieting. This is just from little changes (like reducing grease) and an increase in physical activity. For the past few years I maintained a weight of about 225, and at some point bumped up close to 240 and was flirting heavily with size 22. Haven't seen a size 18 since I was in the USC Band in 2004.

I still don't think I'll be browsing the aisles of the regular sizes any time soon, but it's nice to know the occasional novelty item can be found there

[Morrigoon]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

Bogus it may be, but studies have also shown that your body needs water before it sends the signals of "thirst." Better to drink a little more water than you need (I'm not talking gallons here, I'm talking a cup or two) than too little.

This is true. Another thing I've learned is that many of us receive the "hungry" signal instead of the "thirst" one. So when you get hit with the munchies, it's a good time to drink a cup of water. THEN decide whether you want to grab a snack. That little trick has saved me from hunger many times when in the office and nowhere near things to munch. I'd say about 50% of the time the water satisfies.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

Bogus it may be, but studies have also shown that your body needs water before it sends the signals of "thirst."

Sorry to continue to be contrary, but this one goes right along with 8 glasses as being commonly accepted with no scientific support. If you know of studies otherwise, I'd love to see them.