Low Water Intake

What are the downsides to not drinking enough water? I'm never thirsty throughout the day, but I know I'm nowhere near where I should be as far as ounces go. I routinely go through the day only drinking a little water after I brush my teeth. Also, I never drink anything with my meals aside from milk in my cereal.

You might be dehydrated and not even know it. Is your urine dark yellow or bright yellow? It should be close to clear if you are hydrated properly.

your body gets dehydrated and holds on to as much water as it can (thus, you "gain" water weight).  more importantly, your blood pressure drops, and your electrolytes are off.  all in all, it's not good.  more here

Low liquid consumption leads to excessive crystals in your urine which can result in kidney stones.  Low consumption can also lead to urinary tract infections.  Ask anyone whos had either - theyre both very painful.  Of course there are the complications of dehydration as well.

If it is not just a bad habit and you genuinely lack thirst, check with a doctor that you dont have a problem with hypothalamus.  This is the brain portion that controls thirst and not to be scary, but you would want to rule out something like a tumor or lesion.  

I went through this but my problem was just a bad habit.  I cut off from carbonated drinks and drinking more brought back my thirst although I probably am still less thirsty then most folks.  Crystal light peach tea is my drink.  People will have you think thats less healthy, as if when you drink water it remains isolated in your stomach, not mixing with anything else youve consumed.  Your body pulls the water it needs from your digestive tract and a bit of flavored powder is a mute point.  

i'm in the same boat as you. I just dont like the stuff. I even add some of the crystal light packets and can usually only manage to drink 1-2 glasses a day. No way can i get up to 8!! I already go to the bathroom enough as it is! I do eat lots of fruits and veggies, so i'm wondering if that helps with getting some of my water intake. But i cannot drink a straight glass of water. I actually feel sick!

I swear by using only water to decrease my weight.  I'm not thirsty throughout the day either, but I just keep a bottle handy and sip, guzzle and taste all day....right on up to 2 liters.  Not only did I immediately drop about 5lbs (which is really noticeable on my petite body), but I found that my metabolism is faster, and my skin requires no makeup.  It's a really powerful dieting strategy, if nothing else.

If you drink water between meals and also between bites of food at a meal, it really helps you feel full faster and makes your food last longer.  Drinking water during mealtime also helps you think more about what you're eating, and savor the experience, instead of just wolfing down your food.  This could lead to less overeating, and help facilitate weight loss.

Mocha, are you eating a lot of raw fruits and vegetables?  We also get water from what we eat, and folks who add a lot of water filled food to their diet often don't need to drink as much as someone who does not.  If this is not the case, you should try to up your drinking.  Keep a bottle of water handy throughout the day and just keep sipping at it.  Learning to drink enough water is important, and it will become a habit as you get used to it.

I myself am struggling to drink 4 sixteen-ounce bottles of (flavored) water a day?it?s part of my healthy lifestyle goal. I actually have no idea how I didn?t die from dehydration?seeing as I was lucky to make it through eight-twelve ounces of liquid a day. I never had anything to drink with my meals, nor did I ever really get thirsty except for when I had a cold. I find the hardest part of changing the way I eat has been getting that daily liquid allotment in.

starting to drink water is hard...but once you start, you'll a) notice the benefits and b) it will become second nature...

I agree with slowing down on eating but drinking during and after meals dilutes digestive enzymes so while its not recommended, its best to limit the amount if you do.  You'll find it recommended to drink a glass 30 minutes prior to a meals though. 

Drinking with meals seems practical but you'll find were medically recommended not to or limit it and avoid cold beverages.  

I find it really helpful if Ive eaten enough but think Im hungry to wait a bit and when digestion begins (Im assuming), my appetite subsides.

Thanks for all the help guys. I'm at college in a dorm and i can't really afford to purchase a drink with any of my meals. But i've got a mini-fridge and I'll try to keep some water there as well as apples and the like.

sun123 - where did you find information about not drinking water with meals or not drinking cold water?  Am I misreading what you've written or are you actually saying that drinking water is bad sometimes and that it shouldn't be consumed cold?

 

Sullyone --

http://www.stanford.edu/group/whpu/qa/05,18,98.html
STANTON UNIVERSITY: "... but drinking water with a meal dilutes the salivary and gastric enzymes that digest eaten foods; too much fluid with a meal may therefor reduce the digestion and absorption of food ..."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stomach-canc er/DS00301/DSECTION=9
THE MAYO CLINIC:  Avoid drinking with meals. Although it's important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, drinking with meals hastens the movement of food through the upper part of your digestive tract and may reduce the absorption of nutrients. Instead, try to drink 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after you eat.

Above are twp reputable institutions that to avoid drinking with meals.  If you search Yahoo with "drinking dilutes digestion" or "drinking dilutes enzymes" or something like this, plenty more sites pop up too. 

They idea I got is DURING MEALS AND RIGHT AFTER, the less the better and dont TRY to make your self drink more with your meal.  Good luck getting doctors to agree on anything - but from what Ive read,  many support this.  

BTW while some sites advise against cold liquids with meals, below is the most reputable one so Im not so sure about this idea afterall.  Ive sensitive teeth so I drink room temp liquids anyway.

http://www.betterbones.com/bbbb_charts/ten_st eps.htm : Drinking hot drinks are helpful. Ice water taken with meals weakens digestion.

Interesting, I'll check out those links regarding water consumption during and immediately following meals.

Thanks, I learn something new every day on this site.

 

Edit: this appears to apply under special circumstances where people (the elderly, those recovering from stomach cancers) have difficulty getting proper nutrients.

I heard that drinking iced water (inbetween meals not during) speeds up the metabolism.

I notice that since I drink more water and cut out diet sodas, my urine is now clear and my complexion has cleared.  I had a few pimples and noticed more and more each month.  Drinking plenty of water has cleared my skin and flushed toxions out of my body.

Even if you can't drink 8 glasses at least try to drink 6 a day.  It helps and does the body good.

Remember that water comes in many forms besides its, in my opinion, bland and unappealing taste.

If you don't like the taste of water, find another way for you to enjoy your hydration instead of forcing down a Zephyrhills. :) Try soups, smoothies, and other liquid-heavy, low calorie foods to increase your water intake. Try Crystal Lite or (I'm going to be mauled for this, I know :P) diet sodas if you just need to start drinking. I have a big bowl of soup with a bit of vegetable boullion, along with a low-calorie fruit smoothie each day. Sure, I pee like a buffalo in the morning, but I find I feel less hungry in the day, too.