Everyday Systems

NY Times article says drinking a glass of water before every meal really does speed weight loss. It fills you up, leading to a 13 percent reduction in calorie intake, on average.

Sounds like an easy, pain-free No S mod to me...

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/16/healt ... ref=health

I saw that, too. Though this study didn't talk about it, it's also been shown that a salad or a cup/bowl of broth-based soup does the same thing for very few calories. Even with the addition of the salad or soup, total calorie intake decreases.

This comes from Ellington Darden, one of the original "Nautilus Jedis" (I say that with some affection, however the term originated as a slight against Arthur Jones and other followers of the Nautilus "Generation".) from the 1970's, and still going strong:

http://www.drdarden.com/readTopic.do?id=383704

Yes, I've been doing that for a long time now. One tall glass of water right before a meal + even in between meals sometimes. Since I work out hard, I need those precious FLUIDS.

Cheers !

Marc

38 Years Old, 5'10" Tall
Nov. 1st. 2008 : 280 Pounds
Nov. 1st. 2009 : 190 Pounds
(1 Year : - 90 Pounds)

Current Weight : 193 Pounds

I'd be more in favor of just shifting the content of food at meals to more water-rich foods such as vegetables. More nutrients and more chewing. But just for sheer calorie reduction, this is an option.

I started drinking one tall glass of water with each meal, and it's helped me alot with feeling more full with each meal. Not to mention, it gets the water in.....I usually don't drink much water (if any) each day, and it's a good way to make sure I'm drinking enough. Plan to add water in between meals now to help with late afternoon hunger.

I think this makes a lot of sense.

Barbara Rolls's research found that people actually stayed more satisfied having soup at a meal more so than if they had the same ingredients in a casserole and accompanied by a glass of water.

However, I find that if I get too full if I drink with meals. If I eat too little, I get way too hungry too early before the next meal. Maybe I'll feel I have to do that later, but my meals aren't that heavy.

I thought I read somewhere that drinking water before meals can actually hinder the body from taking in all the nutrients from the food we are about to eat..now, I don't know if that is true...so since I read that I have not drank a glass of water before a meal.....

But might consider again, if not true..

I don't see how water would hinder absorption of nutrients.

Doesn't this come back to the American disconnect with food? We're obsessed with "nutrients" but clueless about food. My svelte European relatives always have water on the dinner table.

NoSnacker wrote:I thought I read somewhere that drinking water before meals can actually hinder the body from taking in all the nutrients from the food we are about to eat..now, I don't know if that is true...

The Mayo Clinic seems to think it's not:

The Mayo Clinic wrote:There's no concern that water will dilute the digestive juices or interfere with digestion. In fact, drinking water during or after a meal can actually improve digestion. Water and other liquids help break down the food in your stomach and keep your digestive system on track.

(From http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/digestion/AN01776/ ) Although they say "during or after a meal", I assume that still applies to "before a meal".

Of course, this is a clinic named after a high-calorie condiment, but they seem to have a pretty good reputation despite that ...

DaveMc
Thanks for the update on water...I guess I will drink a large glass before my meals going forward!

Who Me ditto, thanks for setting me straight.

I actually still don't understand the need for it unless you are finding that your meals are very large and you're having a hard time weaning yourself off them. I get plenty full with very reasonable portions of meat and grain, and a lot of raw or lightly cooked veggies, and I'd rather chew. Plus, I get more nutrients. I don't mean you can't have water with your meals, as I do often.

Now, doing that on S days may be the mod I need.