Hunger or dehydration?

The forecast for the Chicago area is calling for the first string of 90+ days this summer (the only other day it’s gotten above 90 so far was back on June 12). Because of the high heat and humidity (the heat index is supposed to be in the upper 90s), it’s very important to make sure you’re getting enough water to replace what you’re using through sweating, a process that your body naturally (and by design) uses to help cool itself.

As this article from Health Guidance indicates, many Americans live in constant state of borderline dehydration, and they often don’t even realize it. This is because the body, in its attempt to trick the brain into taking in fluids, will often trigger hunger instead, figuring that if it gets some type of nourishment, there will be water included in the equation. Of course, what also gets included are all of the calories of the food. For a person who is trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, these extra calories can be pretty burdensome, especially if the original problem (dehydration) could have been taken care of by a glass of water (with zero calories) instead.

So what are some of the other symptoms of mild dehydration?

• Headaches & feeling light headed, as dehydration interferes with normal body processes, including waste disposal.
• Fatigue, as the body’s metabolism is slowed - mild dehydration is probably the most common cause of daytime fatigue.
• Hunger & cravings due to weakening of the thirst mechanism.
• Fluid retention as your body tries to hold on to the water it already has.
• Constipation, as the body works to conserve its internal water sources.

Not very pretty, huh?

So how much water should you drink? According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several different theories or recommendations, but most of them indicate that a normal adult should drink anywhere from 12-16 cups of water a day, and even more when exercising or when enduring high temperatures or humidity.

So if you get home from a day at work or running around and feel starved, take a step back and think about what you’ve had to drink instead of reaching for some food. You might find that a glass or two of water instead of the snack will make that hunger pang disappear, and you’ll be doing your body a favor, too.