| Get With the Program! Basics |
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| The healthiest vegetables are always green. Greens are undoubtedly healthy, but vegetables and fruits in other colors—red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple—all bring different nutrients to the table. You’ll get the most antioxidants, vitamins and minerals if you keep your plate colorful. |
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If you drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day, you’ll not only keep all systems—including your metabolism!—functioning smoothly, you’ll feel full so you’ll eat less.
It’s especially important to be hydrated when you exercise—your body can’t cool itself adequately when it’s low on fluid. What’s more, being adequately hydrated during exercise will help you stay energized so that you don’t quit early and end up burning fewer calories (and lowering the rate at which your metabolism is functioning).
It would be great if you could drink nine eight-ounce glasses of water a day. At the very least, have eight—you use that much just by being moderately active, and once you’re exercising at a higher intensity you’ll use up even more. Most people drink only when they’re thirsty, but by the time you feel thirsty, your body may be already dehydrated. Drink throughout the day, and don’t down too much at once: Drinking more than one to two glasses at one sitting stimulates the body to rid itself of the water.
What counts as water? Fresh, noncarbonated water! Sparkling water, which can have a diuretic effect, doesn’t count. Neither do drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol, for the same reason. (In fact, limiting your intake of alcohol and caffeine will help you stay hydrated). Your water requirement is over and above the water you get from foods (like soup) and other beverages.
Remember, active people need more fluids than people who don’t exercise, and pure water is your best source.
For more details on staying hydrated check out my books Get With the Program! and The Get With the Program! Guide to Good Eating.
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