I Quit Drinking so Dang Much (water!)

While it is probably true that most busy Americans are under-hydrated, over-hydration is surprisingly common, too.  

I believe I was over-hydrated for years. 
This started with a diet coke habit (before I learned about nutrition) that turned into a sparkling mineral water and hot tea habit.  I came to this realization when I read the book Eat for Heat: The Metabolic Approach to Food and Drink by Matt Stone. The book is certainly written in an unconventional and informal way, but it contains many pages of scientific references.   

“Eating for Heat” is done in an effort for improving overall health and an increase in your metabolism. 

Eat for Heat discusses the fact that consuming too many fluids will dilute the body’s extra-cellular fluid, which accompanies a decline in metabolic rate, plus an increase in aging and hypothyroidism. 

In contrast, to improve metabolism, increasing the concentration of the extra-cellular fluid involves increasing the proportion of minerals like sodium and calcium.  

I'm eating for HEAT!  How?

Eating for heat involves consuming less water-rich, cooling foods  and focusing on having more warming foods, which Matt Stone calls the 4 S’s:

• sugar
• starch,
• salt, and
• saturated fat.  
• He also reminds us to avoid the big, bad S: Stress. 

(Matt's example foods in the book aren't exactly Au Naturale Nutrition-friendly, but it's very easy to eat healthy versions of the 4 S's, and that's what I'm doing.)

• The 4 S's, Au Naturale Nutrition Style: I have increased my intake of dark chocolate, raw honey, potatoes, rice, my homemade sprouted flax bread topped with ghee, and coconut oil.  I also start out the day with a teaspoon of “sole water”, made from concentrated, mineral rich Himalayan sea salt.  The amount of salt I use on my food is based on taste, which I believe reflects my body’s need for salt, which varies on the amount I drink and exercise.

 

• I decreased the excessive amount of fluids I previously drank. I realized I had not felt truly thirsty for many years, and had to get used to recognizing that feeling.  I now listen to my body and drink according to my thirst, not from habit, hunger, boredom, nor addition to caffeine, artificial sweeteners, or carbonation.  I drink about 8 cups per day now, whereas I used to drink much, much more (probably about 4 L (16+ cups).  I also eat several servings of water-rich vegetables.  

 

• I am learning to observe patterns of when to eat warming versus water-rich, cooling foods.  During times I feel cold or sluggish (often in the morning when cortisol normally peaks), that is when it is good to focus on warming foods.  Then, I concentrate on cooling foods in other parts of the day, or when I feel hot (often in the afternoon when thyroid hormone usually peaks).

Some benefits I noticed immediately: 

• I am not as hungry.  (I believe this was due to the fact that my body was “hungry” for replenishment of the electrolytes I was previously flushing out.)  
• I do not feel as cold in my fingers and toes.
• I have fewer headaches.
• I make fewer trips to the bathroom at night.
• My jeans fit a little looser (a sign of my metabolism increasing).
• And best of all, I noticed increasing signs of being over-medicated from my thyroid meds and was able to lower the dosage.   

By correcting my state of constant over-hydration, I believe that my metabolism is improving as a beneficial consequence, YAY!  
​
I now feel the need to slowly add back more fluids.  This is good because, according to Matt Stone, “The higher your metabolic rate, and if you do any strenuous exercise,… the more fluids and thus cooling foods you will need to consume”.  

Hydration wisdom

​To have HIGH energy, the book advises someone with a strong metabolism to eat and drink a lot.  Someone with a low metabolism needs to eat a lot and drink little.

Therefore, my view of hydration differs from a blanket belief that everyone should consume 12 cups of fluids per day.

Many variables come into play, including exercise, age, metabolism, weather, stress, foods consumed, illness, and time of day.  

• Firstly, I do not subscribe to the belief that caffeinated drinks “don’t count” towards hydration.  I think if someone regularly has drinks with caffeine, the body gets used to it.  In my own experience, I know there were many days I would only drink diet coke (soooo bad!) with caffeine, and I was still over-hydrated.

 

• Secondly, I now judge my hydration level differently.  (I usually judge by urine color.)  I used to believe that my urine should be close to clear.  I now know that, for me, clear urine means my body fluids are too diluted.   I aim for a nice yellow like lemonade, but not too dark.  

 

• Thirdly, I do not think everyone needs to be carrying around a water bottle and forcing themselves to drink all day long.  The cycles of the day matter, too.  The body has an easily understandable, innate thirst mechanism.  I don’t believe the saying, “If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated”.  I think that, under normal circumstances, if you’re thirsty for water, then your body simply wants fluids.  That's where intuition comes in. (I do believe that the addictive properties from the chemicals in sodas and alcohol may perhaps override your normal thirst instincts.)  Before I play tennis, however, I do drink in anticipation of perspiring.  I also purposely drink salted water after tennis, especially if it was very hot and I perspired a lot.

​   

• If I'm feeling cold, drinking something hot may not necessarily make me warmer.  I may need to eat instead.  

​

Final thoughts

​Like I said at the beginning, most people are probably under-hydrated. But, if you think you may be consuming too many liquids, diluting your extra-cellular fluids, and slowing your metabolism or thyroid, you may want to look into this, too. (Get the book: Eat for Heat.)

You need to follow your instincts and judge for yourself.

(Important Note: Proper hydration and electrolyte balance is very important. During periods of heat and in athletic activity especially, the body needs additional hydration.  It's a fine balance!  Read my post about electrolytes for more info.)

References:

• Stone, M. (2013). Eat for heat: the metabolic approach to food and drink. Waxahachie, TX.
• Matt Stone's Website: 180 Degree Health.

Pin it: