TIPS ON WATER DRINKING AND FIBER

IS WATER DRINKING GOOD FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
• The human body is about 60% water and hence water is an important part of the body and hence it is important to always hydrate the body through drinking of water. An average of about 6-8 glasses of water is recommended. The highly active person may need more than 6-8 glasses water.
• In weight loss, water drinking is very useful and necessary. If you drink less water than recommended, the body tends to hold on to water and this may reflect on the scale as weight gain (not fat gain though)
• Contrary to the misconception that most people have about water being fattening, water has zero calories and hence cannot give calories and hence cannot make you gain fat weight. It is better for you to drink enough water. The body will naturally excrete the excess water.
• Drinking enough water helps in weight management as it helps the body get rid of excess water. It also provides the right medium for enzymatic action on the food you eat, thus helping with the body’s metabolic process.

PACKING UP ON FIBER FOR GOOD HEALTH
Fiber is a structural component of plant foods which cannot be digested by the humans. Since it is indigestible, it virtually adds no calories when eaten. Because of its bulkiness, it makes you feel full when eaten while adding no calories. Thus fiber rich foods are very much recommended in weight loss programs. Fiber is present in plant foods like vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains. There are two types of fiber, insoluble and soluble fiber. Insoluble fiber helps in proper bowel function by preventing constipation. It is also useful in preventing or managing haemorrhoids and diverticulosis. It is present in whole grains, whole grain products like cereals and breads, vegetables like cabbage. Soluble fiber is soluble in liquid and forms a gel when mixed with liquid. It binds to cholesterol when eaten and prevents it from being absorbed within the body and hence can result in the reduction of blood cholesterol, which is a desirable condition for heart health. It also helps in controlling blood sugar surge by slowing the digestion and absorption of sugars into the blood. It is thus useful for diabetics and for people on a weight loss program and generally useful component of a healthy diet. Soluble fiber is present in certain fruits like apples, strawberries and citrus (oranges, lemon etc), oats, barley, seaweeds, beans, peas and other legumes.