We all have sporadic food cravings during the day. If you feel a craving and it’s time to replenish your body with nourishment, this is a healthy signal that requires your response. But many cravings aren’t true hunger signals, and if you’re coaxed into eating, you’ll consume excessive calories. Whether it’s a hormonal imbalance that day (or week), boredom, social comfort, depression, or the “see it and eat it” urge, these are unhealthy cravings that lead to unwanted pounds.

One of the most common health problems that many people suffer from and don’t realize that it can easily be remedied, is dehydration! Over three-fourths of the population are chronic victims because they fail to drink adequate amounts of water for their body’s health needs. Symptoms may come in the form of headaches, dry skin, depression, fatigue, constipation, hunger, stiff joints, loss of sleep, and many other complications. The issue is that most people treat the symptoms with food and medication instead of providing the body with what it needs – “good old-fashioned H2O!” Did you know that our bodies are made up of 65-70 percent water? If we deprive ourselves of this vital life-support system, our bodies will literally start shutting down organ by organ. This can start happening if your body loses as little as 20 percent of its normal water content.

You might think you're drinking ample amounts of water because of other liquids you consume throughout the day. But, not all liquids hydrate the body. Some liquids, such as coffee, tea or sodas, have caffeine and sugar and are actually dehydrators and deplete your water count. So if you must drink caffeine, consider refueling the body with an extra glass of water for every caffeine-loaded drink that you consume. If you prefer flavored water, you may add a slice of lemon or lime. The sodas should exit your diet immediately as they are more than just a dehydrator, they are full of toxins.