Water Water Everywhere but not a Drop to Drink
The advice to drink water with meals—especially when aimed at people trying to lose weight—comes from a mix of legitimate reasoning, oversimplified science, and sometimes, wellness fluff. Here's a breakdown of why diet companies, nutritionists, and "wellness influencers" often push this advice:
The Almost Legit Reasons
Appetite Control
Drinking water before a meal but NOT with it unless you are PALATE LESS may help people feel full sooner, which may reduce the amount—the number of bites—they eat. Does it teach what is a portion? No because that relates to orchestrating a meal and we have no idea what is a meal todayPrevents Mistaking Thirst for Hunger
People sometimes eat when they're actually just mildly dehydrated. Drinking water can help clarify if you're really hungry. This sounds good but people GUZZLE water 24/7. They pay for HUGE branded stainless steel and very expensive water containers as if they are going into the Sahara dessert.Helps with Digestion (to a point)
Water helps move food through your digestive system. NOT really. OIL is what works. CASTOR oil. Mineral oil.Zero Calories
Water replaces higher-calorie drinks like soda, juice, or sugary coffee—this is an easy calorie cut which ruins the taste of the food so you EAT MORE and stretch your stomach and then your hormones go haywire and then you are hungry all the time.
The Pseudoscience or Oversimplified Bits
Some wellness folks claim drinking water "flushes fat" or "boosts metabolism."
➤ Reality: Water supports metabolism, but it doesn't magically burn fat.Others push the idea that cold water burns more calories.
➤ True, but marginal. Drinking cold water might burn a few extra calories due to thermogenesis, but it's not a major fat loss strategy. ONLY closing your mouth sooner and opening it less often fixes the HORMONES. REMEMBER: HORMONES RULE FORGET CALORIES.
Why Diet Companies Push It
Cheap Tip, Big Promise: It USED to cost nothing but no we have to drink designer, branded water so it is not cheap any longer. So what used to sound like a cheap "hack" to help people lose weight is now costing real dough$$.
More Water = More Pee = “Detox” Feeling: The illusion of cleansing or flushing out toxins makes people feel like they're doing something healthy—even if it’s a placebo. BUT water is holy.
Why PHONY Wellness Influencers Push It
It’s safe, easy, and sounds wholesome.
Fits the aesthetic of "clean eating" and self-care.
Bottom Line
Drinking water with between meals isn't bad advice. But when it's sold as a major weight-loss secret or "metabolism booster," that's when you're in BS territory. And remember that water is our MOST precious resource. Think of our environment. Then deal with your disordered eating/drinking. Time to get real which means 80bites.com and Parasetter for your elevated CORTISOL.