Health and Wellness

 Grab a Glass and Be Healthier!

“Eat less, exercise more.”

“Eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables and cut out processed foods.”

“Get 30-60 minutes of exercise at least five times a week.”

The government gives us plenty of guidelines about what we should do to be healthy.

And they sound great, right? So why aren’t we all following them?

Health advice is getting easier to come by while the pace of our lives is moving us further away from making these ideas a reality. So where should we begin?

Keep reading to find one action you can take to increase your chances of getting into an exercise routine, managing your weight and living with more vitality. And it only takes a cup, a tap, and a single fruit.

Now is a great time to re-introduce you to an often overlooked superfood. It is a food that has magical powers that cannot be replicated by science and pressed into a pill or grown without the basics of sun, earth, and water. This magical food is the lemon.

We may be aware of lemons’ powerful vitamin C content. On top of that, lemons naturally have antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help keep you from getting sick. Also, lemon helps to purify the blood and prevent long-term disease.

For today we will focus on using lemon in one simple place – in your next glass of water.

All of the aforementioned benefits of lemon can be yours once or multiple times in a day. Adding a lemon to water is less expensive than purchasing flavored drinks and adds refreshment and flavor. Lemons are readily available – from friends’ homes and restaurants to diners and delis. Most places have fresh lemons (or lemon juice as a back-up) and are happy to bring it out free of hassle and free of charge.

Adding lemon can make drinking water more palatable and increase our water intake in a day. It is recommended that we consume 6-8 cups a day since water ensures that all of our body’s systems are running smoothly. It keeps our muscles supple and our minds thinking clearly.

When we have taken in enough water we can stay more alert into the afternoon and evening. This makes us more likely to have the energy to take on activities that are important to us – spending time with family, seeing friends, learning something new or getting exercise. When our body is hydrated we are more comfortable being physically active and can quickly recover from any new fitness routine. This makes going to the gym or walking around the neighborhood a more pleasurable experience, and one that we will be more likely to continue.

Water can also help us manage our weight. Drinking water can control our appetite. Often times if we think that we are hungry or have a dip in energy we only need to hydrate. Cutting down on soda or alcoholic beverages is one of the first steps you can take towards managing weight and better health. Choosing water flavored with lemon instead is a fantastic and simple alternative.

The benefits of lemon and water are synergistic – the two together are more powerful than the sum of their parts.

Water with lemon can also control a sweet tooth. This makes it great to have in the afternoon when you may otherwise reach for sweets. Even if you do not feel an immediate difference, it will help change your palate long-term. It is also a great palate cleanser before bed and first thing in the morning. Try the morning drink warm to aid with digestion.

A few additional notes on this healthy living switch:

-Fresh lemon is always best but lemon juice is a practical alternative.

-While too much carbonation may have a negative effect on our bones, seltzer water is a healthier beverage than soda and alcoholic drinks. Choose this with a lemon while out to dinner, out for drinks, or in your home. Share the refreshing treat with your friends and family!

-Trust your taste buds. You may have more or less tolerance for the strong flavor of lemons so only squeeze as much as you will enjoy. Even a small amount is better than nothing!

-Herbal teas count as one of your 6-8 cups of water in a day. Have these fresh or iced and try lemon along with a mint tea for a fresh middle-eastern style treat.

Grab an empty glass and make this your first step towards healthy change.