Water

Drink until you're hydrated (i.e., your urine is clear/pale yellow/straw-colored). Water is calorie-free, but it won't really "help" with weight loss past helping with bloat and not adding to your calorie intake. Some people feel more full after drinking some water, but it doesn't have that effect on me at all.

Other liquids are hydrating, too, so keep that in mind. Even soda, milk, juice, tea, and coffee. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/health-tip/art-20048906) Just make sure you're counting the calories if the liquid you're drinking contains them.

My main sources of hydration are water, coffee, diet soda, and hot teas.

*Edit: I just realized this was in Nutrition Debate. I guess if I'm debating something, it's that the water guidelines are arbitrary and you can keep hydrated by drinking more than just water. And before someone mentions caffeine, it is not the strong diuretic that many people believe. Its diuretic effects are only slightly more than water (yes, water is technically a diuretic) and you have to drink quite a lot of it for it to negatively affect hydration levels.

queenliz99 wrote: »

even fruit, vegetables and meat have water.

This, too. Our bodies are able to use the water from pretty much anything that we consume.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill/

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

Drink until you're hydrated (i.e., your urine is clear/pale yellow/straw-colored). Water is calorie-free, but it won't really "help" with weight loss past helping with bloat and not adding to your calorie intake. Some people feel more full after drinking some water, but it doesn't have that effect on me at all.

Other liquids are hydrating, too, so keep that in mind. Even soda, milk, juice, tea, and coffee. (http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/health-tip/art-20048906) Just make sure you're counting the calories if the liquid you're drinking contains them.

Scientifically, this is correct and worth paying attention to.

JShailen wrote: »

Most dieters have heard the ''are you hungry or is it really thirst'' thing...

I've never understood it. Never in my life have I gotten rid of hunger pangs (or mouth-hunger) by having a glass of water. I find the concept weird to be honest and have often wondered if theres any basis to it. One day, I'll look into it lol

Yeah, I've never understood this concept either. I can tell the difference between thirst and hunger, and no amount of water is going to satisfy me if I'm hungry.

mlindeman0002 wrote: »

You should drink a gallon of water a day to stay hydrated, if you are taking anything before, during or after your workout (pre workout especially) you should drink more. I have never heard drinking soda hydrates you, I have always been told that it will actually dehydrate you. When I started to eat clean and lift 6 days a week, I had to up my water. I now drink a gallon or more a day and can tell a big difference in my skin, and it cuts your bloating down. I have also noticed that it helps me get through hunger if I don't have the time to eat at that point.

Please provide evidence to support the bolded statement. Peer-reviewed studies are preferred; if you post a link to a bro-science type blog, expect it to get.... critiqued.