Fat that accumulates in the body looks very disturbing. In addition, the number of fat deposits can also cause health problems—lots of tips to melt fat for weight loss. One of them that is very popular is the water diet. The water diet is a dieting method that is done by consuming only water. People on this diet consume no food or drink other than water.
Also known as water fasting, this diet has become very popular recently because it is believed that losing weight faster is very good for the health of the body. Did you know that not all water diets are safe for health? An improperly performed water diet can even be fatal. Many health experts say a lean body won’t last long because of a bad diet. If you want to try a safe water diet, follow the tips below.
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Don’t just drink water
Even though it’s called a water diet, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat or drink anything other than water. Especially if only water penetrates the body, this can endanger your health. A body deficient in protein, carbohydrates, essential fats, vitamins and minerals can experience a decreased metabolic rate. If this continues uninterrupted for a long time, you will feel weak, dizzy, unable to concentrate and even pass out.
Then how should it be? Combine your water diet with a healthy and balanced diet. Remember to exercise regularly so your diet gives the expected maximum results.
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Hunger test with a glass of water
Perhaps many do not know. Hunger does not always mean that the body needs food, you know. Therefore, when you feel hungry, you should wait to eat heavy foods such as rice, bread and others. First, take a test to determine if hunger is real or fake using a glass of water.
To perform this test, drink a glass of water and wait ten minutes. If you still feel hungry, it means what you are feeling is real hunger. You can eat in moderation, don’t get too full. On the other hand, when the feeling of hunger is gone, it means that you are only feeling false hunger.
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Always carry water when engaging in outdoor activities
Don’t forget to take water with you wherever you go. Whether on the way to work, during sports or even while eating. It will help you avoid buying high-sugar drinks like syrup or soda. As we know, high-sugar drinks are the leading cause of weight gain.
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Do not drink large amounts of water at once
While we’re recommended to drink at least eight glasses of water daily, we still need to drink it all at once. Organize and create a schedule for drinking water, such as right after waking up, before meals, after meals, between activity breaks, and so on.
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Use fortified water for detoxification
To get the results you want, try drinking infused water. Aside from helping to melt fat, infused water can also remove toxins settling in the body and provide a refreshing effect.
Making infused water is very simple. You mix pieces of fruit or vegetables into the drinking water. Lemon, lime, mint, cucumber, and strawberry are fruits or vegetables commonly used. Just choose which one you like.
Benefits of the Water Diet
Aside from losing weight, this water diet has many other benefits. Below are the water diet benefits cited by Healthline:
- It helps lower blood pressure
- Increases insulin and leptin sensitivity
- Reducing the risk of some chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer
- Triggers autophagy, a process by which the body breaks down and recycles old or harmful cell parts
The dangers of a water diet
Despite its many benefits, this water diet can also harm the body. It can happen if the water diet is followed for too long without the supervision of a medical team or doctor. This diet can cause:
- malnutrition
- dehydration
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure)
How to make a safe water diet?
So far, there are no fixed rules for the proper water diet. However, several phases or stages can be followed, namely:
The Phase before the diet
If you have never done a water diet, prepare 3-4 days in advance. For example, you eat small portions or fast for a few hours daily.
Diet phase (24-72 hours)
Drinking 2-3 litres of water per day is recommended during the water diet. This diet can be done 24-72 hours and is recommended during this period. In addition, avoiding activities requiring complete concentration, such as B. Driving a vehicle or heavy equipment, is recommended. It is done to prevent accidents or injuries.
post-diet Phase
When the water diet is over, eating small snacks or juice is recommended. Then slowly increase the amount of food you eat. It prevents refeeding syndrome, a fatal condition when the body experiences fluid and electrolyte changes.
This post-diet Phase usually lasts a day. However, the longer the water diet, the longer it takes for the body to adjust before it can absorb large amounts of food.
However, remember that this water diet is quite heavy, so not everyone can and can do this diet. This water diet is also not recommended for pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, and people with certain medical conditions such as kidney failure, gout, ulcers, or eating disorders.