The Water Diet

If you're in the US you're probably in the middle of a severe heat wave. You don't want to eat - but you have to .It's too much of a chore. The answer lies in a water rich diet for the next few days.

Of course you should have chilled water at the ready during these horrendous days. That's a given. Remember to place a bottle by your bed along with having fresh bottles in your car. Keep away from large amounts of sodas and coffees during this time. Caffeine acts as a diuretic which causes you to urinate more and lose fluids. Wait until after the heat wave to hit the colas and lattes. If you do want a flavored drink, think fruit juice.Just make it's 100 per cent juice.If there's even a bit of sugar in it , it will inhibit hydration.Keep in mind that milk both regular and skim are excellent at hydrating.  Almond milk is good for hydration so you could drink it instead of the usual cow's milk. Soy milk is better for skin than for lowering internal temperatures. What about the hot drink of the moment - seltzer?You  can drink it for regular hydration. Just don't sub it in for water after work outs or any heavy physical activity.

Another must is eating water rich foods. These are light and tasty - perfect for these fiery days. All veggies are water rich but also high in fiber. Popular veggies that are high in hydration are spinach and Romaine lettuce. These are the perfect bases for salads. Fill them with low calorie proteins such as hard boiled eggs and chicken. You can also add other water rich veggies such as tomatoes and cucumbers to the salads too. Dress with a simple olive oil and apple cider vinegar mix. If you want some crunch then toss in a handful of sunflower seeds or croutons. Tomatoes and cucumbers on their own make for delicious and refreshing salads. Tomatoes mixed with just olive oil and garlic is a great lunch or a good side to anything from burgers to steaks. Make it more substantial by turning it into a Neopolitan bread salad with the addition of chunks of Italian bread.Cucumbers just doused with a plain dill  vinaigrette is a nice light meal or even afternoon snack. Fruits are also water rich  and are perfect for hydrating on a hellish day. Have a bowl of chilled blueberries or strawberries for dessert or  a late night snack. Stay away from starchy cookies and cakes. You have fall and winter to eat those. You can even puree the fruits and turn them into healthy pops and slushies.

It's an inferno out there. Stock up on water and water rich foods to stay cool and hydrated. You'll feel better thanks to eating  better.