What Is Special About Sassy Water On The Flat Belly Diet Plan?

Drinking Sassy Water is part of the Flat Belly Diet's four-day Anti-Bloat Jumpstart. The recipe was developed by Cynthia Sass, nutrition director at "Prevention" magazine and co-author of "Flat Belly Diet" with Liz Vaccariello, editor of the magazine. Sassy Water has few calories. The ingredients aid digestion and add refreshing taste to the 8-1/2 cups you need to drink each day of the Jumpstart.

Flat Belly Diet Overview

The Flat Belly Diet operates on the premise of "a MUFA at every meal." MUFA stands for monounsaturated fatty acid, and, according to Sass, they are the "antidote to belly fat." You can find MUFAs in foods such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, olives, avocados and dark chocolate. By eating three 400 calorie meals and one 400 calorie snack each day, you will lose belly fat, because the MUFAs lower the "bad" cholesterol in your bloodstream and prevent the liver from producing more. The diet promises weight loss of up to 15 pounds in 32 days.

The Jumpstart

Before you begin the diet proper, you need to go through a four-day "Jumpstart." During this period, you will have only 1,200 calories a day instead of 1,600. You should avoid salt in all forms, excess carbs, bulky raw foods, gassy foods, gum, sugar alcohols and fried or spicy foods. In addition, you will drink 8-1/2 cups of Sassy Water each day. According to the authors of "Flat Belly Diet," taking these steps will decrease bloat and help you lose up to 7 lbs. and 1 inch off your waist during the four-day Jumpstart.

The Sassy Water

In a large pitcher, combine 8-1/2 cups of water, 1 tsp. of freshly grated ginger root, a medium peeled, thinly sliced cucumber, and a medium lemon, also thinly sliced. Stir in 12 mint leaves and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to blend. Make a pitcher of Sassy Water the night before you begin the Anti-Bloat Jumpstart and for each of the next three nights. Your water will be chilled and refreshing the next day.

Sassy Water Health Benefits

Sassy Water is an integral part of the Anti-Bloat Jumpstart. The common theme in the water's ingredients is their effect on the digestive system. The ginger helps to calm your gastrointestinal tract. Lemons have a cleansing effect on the digestive system and ease stomach acidity. Cucumbers act as a mild diuretic. They soothe heartburn and calm stomach acidity. Mint helps to relieve indigestion and flatulence, both of which cause stomach bloat.