Another Tip Worth Passing Along- WATER edition

It's been Damn Hot here lately. Mid to upper 90's every day and some days have been muggy and humid, so it was no surprise to find a Tip of the Week from My Fit Foods in my inbox a few days ago that concentrated solely on the importance of hydration. I found the email interesting and wanted to -again- pass it along. Enjoy!

*As always, MyFitFoods does not pay me in any form, I just find some of their tips to interesting, relevant to many people, or just plain educational so I pass them along. You're welcome.

My Fit Foods: "Tip of the Week" Are you Pouring on the Pounds?

Don't Drink Yourself Fat! One thing you may be overlooking every day in your quest to be healthy and feel your best is HYDRATION.     It is very easy to go through your day - have a glass of tea here and there, drink a water bottle or two, and then think you are hydrating just fine.  That is not the case.  Most of us are chronically dehydrated and even worse - we substitute with things like tea, coffee, alcohol, fruit juices, and other higher calorie beverages that end up dehydrating us even further and packing on the pounds.  These beverages are also processed quickly by the body, spiking your blood sugar.   Check out these drinks: 12 ounces orange juice - 135 calories 12 ounces cola - 150 calories 12 ounces Red Bull - 165 calories 12 ounces whole milk - 215 calories 12 ounces beer - 150 to 200 calories Starbucks Venti Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha - 700 calories Long Island Iced Tea - 780 calories Margarita - 740 calories McDonald's Chocolate McCafe Shake (15.8 ounces) - 880 calories Smoothie King's The Hulk Strawberry (40 ounces) - 2,070 calories   Americans now consume 450 more calories a day in beverages and that is twice the calories that we did 30 years ago.  Unfortunately, this is all leading to a chronically dehydrated and overfed nation which is contributing to our obesity and disease epidemic.  After all, our bodies are on average 70 % water (80% when we are born), our blood 90% water, and our brains 80% water.  Wouldn't it make sense that hydration is just imperative?   Check out these symptoms of chronic dehydration:   ·         Weight Loss Resistance ·         Fatigue ·         Constipation - not eliminating at least once a day ·         Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses ·         High Blood Pressure ·         Acid-Alkaline Imbalance ·         Cravings and Overeating ·         Premature Aging, Wrinkles ·         Leg Cramps and Muscle Twitches   Our 21 Day Challenge eliminates caffeine and alcohol for 21 Days because we know that re-hydrating the body will kick start the metabolism (as well as the many other tricks up our sleeve).  Drinking .5 to 1 full ounce of water per body pound is the key.  So, if you weigh 200 pounds, you will need to drink at least 100 ounces of water daily.  That is approximately 3 liters a day bare minimum.  If you drink any coffee or tea or exercise daily - add another liter just to be safe.  The goal is clear urination but keep in mind - if you take ourDaily Fit Packs (Multi, Antioxidant, Fish Oil, Cinnamon, and Milk Thistle) - which by the way is the ultimate metabolism and anti-aging support, then you will have bright yellow urine due to a byproduct of the B vitamin - Riboflavin.    The quality of water you drink is of the utmost importance.  The amount of chlorine in today's tap water impairs thyroid function and that is definitely "Drinking Yourself Fat".  A water filtration system is an improvement but if you want the best in the country - check outMountain Valley Spring Water.  Its purity, its mineral content, and its pH are the best thing you can put in your body daily.  Our My Fit Water is bottled by the Mountain Valley people.  And we couldn't be more proud of that fact.  The best water in the USA! Stay hydrated this summer My Fit Nation!   Yours in Health, Meg McCall, B.S., M.S. Candidate in Human Nutrition   Resources:  Batmanghelidj, F.MD, Water for Health, for Healing, for Life, Warner Books, 2003  Amen, Daniel, MD, The Amen Solution, The Secret to Being Thinner, Smarter, Happier, 2011