Even though I usually have to make myself eat "real" food, I have made the following observation.  If I don't get in around 100 ounces of fluids a day, I seem to get somewhat of a hunger feeling or a light craving for food.  Looking back over my journal, there is definitely a pattern to it - less than about 100 ounces of fluid intake, I get to wanting food, if I get in 100 ounces or more - no cravings for food.  I really do believe that staying hydrated throughout the day is one of the major keys (along with adequate protein intake and regular exercise) to fighting hunger and being successful at achieving and maintaining weight loss. I wonder if some of the folks who say they have cravings or get really hungry are possibly lacking in their daily fluid intake.

I got to searching the internet and found the following article, which I thought is pretty good and may help someone.

How to Control Cravings With Hydration

By Rhyah Fletcher, eHow Editor

Weight loss isn’t easy and food cravings make dieters kick themselves when they give into them. However, if you’re trying to lose weight and have uncontrollable food cravings, you're body might be thirsty rather than hungry. The brain control centers for thirst and hunger are next to each other, and the signals sometimes overlap. What you think is a craving for food, may actually be your body’s cry for water.

  Step 1 Keep a food journal that tracks how often you eat and how much you drink. Take special notes about food cravings and write down the time you feel the craving.
Step 2 Write down how you handle food cravings in your journal. Record whether you ignore the cravings, eat what you’re craving or drink something. If you notice that you feed your craving but still crave food a short while later, you’re probably thirsty.   Step 3 Drink a glass of water an hour before every meal and an hour after every meal. Water is an appetite suppressant and drinking before and after a meal keeps you from munching   Step 4 Fill your diet with foods that naturally contain high water content. These consist mostly of fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, grapefruit, tomato, watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, apples, peaches, blackberries, carrots, celery, cranberries, apricots and oranges. Eating these hydrates you and some of them can cure a sweet craving.   Step 5 Carry water with you when you workout or go outside. Sipping water throughout the day keeps you hydrated and helps fight off mid-afternoon cravings.   Step 6 Eat high fiber snacks, such as almonds, with a glass of water. Not only will the water hydrate you, but the water also causes the fiber to expand in your stomach making you feel full longer.   Step 7 Switch caffeinated drinks for water-based juices such as Crystal Light because caffeine speeds up dehydration. The same is true for alcohol, so enjoy alcoholic beverages sparingly. If you do drink either caffeine or alcohol in excess, drink extra water the next day to fight dehydration.

Hey Sunshine



I looked high and low for a loop hole in your reason of insanity here and I could not find a loop hole whatsoever...  LOL  Of course that is based off of my crazy insanity but non the less... 



Like you said, staying hydrated and keeping up with adequate protein intake does help us sidestep a lot of hurt and heartache. 



Just love the info.... keep it coming



Truly Trina (in maroon red cause she has a baby that is a freshman at Texas A & M Galveston... in their Marine Biology program.....  I am a proud Aggie Mom)

Thanks Trina. Keeping the daily journal is really helpful to spot trends or problems like this.  After reviewing and finding that less fluid intake seemed to correspond with my feelings of hunger, I just got to thinking that maybe we might sometimes stray from the obvious things that will help us to be successful.  Like they say - "Back to the basics" and "KISS" (keep it simple stupid)!

Yesterday morning I woke up with what felt like a UTI. I drank 1.5l of cranberry juice and lots of water. Felt better through out the day. Today I woke up and had a lot of energy--I actually cleaned part of the house: bath, laundry,kitchen. I wonder if all those fluids had anything to do with it? I will try to journal/food diary(including how I feel) to see if I notice any long term correlation.  I also had less coffee....