You may have heard the old adage, "Man cannot live by bread alone." But one fad diet circulating the Internet seems to ask aspiring weight losers the question: What about water? The water diet, which is extolled in many different incarnations on various websites and explained in various news reports, isn't a diet of simply water. Rather, water diets purport that consuming large quantities of plain old H2O in conjunction with regular meals will help dieters lose weight more quickly.
About the Water Diet
Because water diets cannot be traced to a reputable source, it might be difficult for weight watchers who wish to lose weight the smart way to have faith that a water diet will yield the desired results. Success stories are mostly anecdotal, with information derived from dubious online websites. One incarnation of the water diet (purportedly developed in 1997 by the Durham-based Institute for Psychoactive Research) propagates the Internet, along with the institute's "popular air diet." That no such institute can be located in Durham, North Carolina, might be an indicator that the water diet is simply another fad diet with folklore overtones similar to the Sacred Heart diet, the Mayo Clinic diet and the Apple Cider Vinegar diet.
How It Works
The water diet urges dieters to drink 64 ounces (a half-gallon) of water in addition to their normal fluid intake. Any type of water is fine---bottled water, spring water or plain tap water---as long as the water is cool. Water must be cool because the body's metabolism must purportedly increase in order to heat it once it is consumed, although this is only an anecdotal claim. Water should not contain ice, and chewing on ice doesn't count in the water diet. Nor should dieters attempt to inhale steam to increase the amount of their water intake. Dieters continue to eat foods they normally would eat.
Water Diet Success Stories
There's nothing particularly magical about how water diets work. Quite simply, when dieters drink an abundance of water prior to a meal, they feel fuller and are therefore likely to consume less at the dinner table. An October 2008 news story from Dallas/Fort Worth TV station WFAA reported that Jeff Schmidt lost 70 pounds in seven months on the "Before, During and After" water diet, which included drinking one 8-ounce glass of water before, during and after each daily meal. According to University of Texas Southwestern University dietitian Lona Sandon, water diets appeal to dieters because it's free, easy to do and effective. Sandon is quoted as stating that the water diet can save dieters 500 calories a day.
Water Diet Cons
In principle, the water diet may seem a plausible way to lose weight---as long as dieters consume fewer calories daily. The water diet has the downsides of any liquid cleanse, of course, namely uncomfortable bloating and frequent trips to the bathroom. And, like many fad diets, the water diet does not encourage a healthier diet or more active lifestyle.
What Experts Say
The American Dietetic Association hasn't weighed in on the water diet as a valid method to shed unwanted pounds. However, ADA registered dietitian Dee Sandquist notes that while there are "many theories about the amount to drink, a safe bet is to drink at least eight cups of water each day to make sure you are properly hydrated." Those who exercise routinely should drink even more water. The ADA's Complete Food and Nutrition Guide notes that adults lose approximately 2.5 quarts of water a day that needs to be replenished. However, according to Sandquist, water is also found in foods with a high water content, such as watermelon, lettuce, grapefruit, carrots, yogurt and apples, as well as other liquid drinks. Sandquist states, "All fluids like juice, tea, soup and even coffee count, so drink up."
The ADA urges aspiring weight watchers to find a diet that's backed by "solid science" that also allows them access to their favorite foods. The ADA notes that the best way to make successful, healthy changes to your diet is to consult with a skilled dietitian who can help you draft a diet plan that's just right for you. To find a nutritional expert in your area, contact the ADA (see Resources).
Member Comments