If you are looking to lose weight, one great way is to replace some of your usual beverages. Many people enjoy the occasional tumbler of soda, the odd bottle of beer or glass of wine, a cup of coffee in the morning, or even an energy drink after a workout. Of course, in an effort to make the switch from these less-healthy options, you have probably tried all sorts of fancy and expensive drinks. But for the largest effect on your efforts to be less large, you might want to consider the ultimate raw food.
Yes, a glass of water, as part of a raw food diet for weight loss, might sound too simple to do much of anything, but water is an essential part of a better diet and a healthier lifestyle.
Yes, water can be used as a straight-up replacement for your regular unhealthy beverages. You might think that you simply cannot start your day without a cup of coffee – but that caffeine only gives you a quick hit of energy, followed by an equally rapid crash. Not only that, but coffee is a diuretic, which means that you will end up more dehydrated than had you drank nothing at all. But a glass of cold water in the morning, you may be surprised to find, can be just as energizing as your coffee. The cold will bring your body to full alertness, unlike the soothing warmth of a hot beverage.
With a meal, you can replace sugary sodas and calorie-laden alcoholic beverages with as much water as you like. Not only is water free of calories, it also helps you to feel full faster when consumed with food – meaning, you will eat less when you eat that raw food diet with a few glasses of water, and still feel satisfied. That reduced calorie intake will help to keep the inches down. Another added benefit of water over alcohol is the lack of the usual intoxication. The usual “beer belly” is sometimes less about the actual beer that is consumed, and more about the poor food choices we make after we have downed a few drinks.
Water will also help to keep you hydrated before, during and after any athletic endeavors. Energy drinks might be full of helpful minerals, but they are even more full of sugar and stimulants that can render all of your hard work calorie-burning neutral. And don’t forget that you have replace what you sweat out, and a well hydrated body is also better able to work, meaning that you will be able to go harder and burn more fat just by keeping a water bottle handy.
Water really is one of the most important features of an effective raw diet plan. And for those of you who can’t stomach the thought of plain water, don’t be afraid to add other elements from your raw food diet – a slice of citrus –lime, lemon or even orange – can really liven up your boring old water!
