9 Ways to Get Rid of Pesky Water Weight This Summer ...

1. Eat Your Diuretics

Diuretics are supplements touted as one of the best ways to get rid of water weight, but man-made diuretic pills are not the way to do it. Diuretics basically make you urinate more, and decrease the water held in your body. Taking a pill can lead to dehydration, constipation, kidney and liver damage, or even gout, so instead, be sure to eat your diuretics. What do I mean? Well, water-rich fruits and veggies such as celery, cucumbers, watermelon, asparagus and parsley are actually natural diuretics that shed the water weight for you. The difference between these and diuretic pills is that these healthy foods actually add vitamins to your body, fiber to promote regularity, and electrolytes like potassium and natural sodium to prevent inflammation and gout. You’ll lose water weight rapidly, but won’t become dehydrated. In fact, these foods may cause you to urinate more, but they actually add water back to your body and balance your electrolytes so you don’t suffer health issues. I love celery, asparagus, cucumbers and parsley, and eat them on a regular basis to get the best benefits.

2. Add Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a great way to shed water weight quickly. Add a little to your water, tea or smoothies. Lemon juice is also a natural diuretic, and a digestive aid, so it helps to remove toxins from the intestines, kidneys and the bloodstream. This means you’ll shed overall body water weight and be excreting toxins in the meantime. Lemons are also a great source of Vitamin C and low in sugar compared to other fruits.

3. Walk It off

One great way to shed water weight is to walk. When muscles are stagnant, our lymph system doesn’t work as well. Lymph is what removes toxins through the fluids in our body, and unless we keep it stimulated, water weight can become a result. Overall exercise is a great way to stimulate lymph flow, and walking is one of the easiest, most effective ones of all.

4. Try Pineapple

One problem with bloating and water weight has to do with poor digestion, and pineapple can be a real lifesaver here. Pineapple is rich in digestive enzymes, primarily bromelain, which helps to break down foods in the stomach, and excrete them out of the body. Papaya is also effective since it contains another digestive enzyme known as papain. These enzymes aid digestion and reduce toxic buildup and water weight very effectively. Though it is high in sugar, a little pineapple is really all you need to notice quick results, so put a few cubes in your smoothie or add some to your yogurt or morning oatmeal. For a really quick approach, just eat it raw.

5. Eat Yogurt

One of my favorite tips to beat bloating and shed water weight is to eat a daily dose of plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt, which is also high in protein. Yogurt is rich in probiotics that aid digestion and anytime my tummy is upset, it is my go-to food. Try making a smoothie using yogurt and pineapple or yogurt and low sugar fruits like berries, and even add some greens like spinach to increase the nutrition. I love to eat yogurt plain or freeze it for a mock-frozen yogurt treat. Yogurt’s healthy bacteria help to nourish the gut and aid in removing toxins from the digestive tract. It also helps make you more regular, which means you’ll carry less water weight automatically. If you’re sensitive to dairy, buy nondairy sources instead, or take a digestive enzyme supplement.

6. Drink More Water

Believe it or not, some people who are bloated are actually dehydrated! If you don’t drink enough fluids, primarily water, your body will actually store more water, which can make you feel bloated. To beat this, simply drink more water! I love adding freshly squeezed lemons and limes to my water and putting in lots of ice. Sometimes I even add a few strawberries for flavor. I also love it plain, but either way, just add water however you can. Herbal teas without caffeine are another great way to get more water in your day. Peppermint tea is also great for bloating and water weight, so buy some peppermint herbal tea to get in your water for the day. Drinking more water will help your body urinate more and excrete more toxins, reducing the amount of water weight you’re carrying overall.

7. Up Your Protein

I realize a lot of you may have issues with this tip, but hear me out. Increasing protein in the diet and reducing starchy carbs can have a dramatically fast benefit to beat bloating and get rid of water weight. Starches and sugars actually cause the body to store water weight, while protein’s effect on the kidneys actually help you reduce water weight. To prevent damage to your kidneys, don’t go crazy and eat too much meat per meal. Instead, just be sure to include protein at every meal, preferably plant protein when you can, and don’t eat starchy or sugary foods. Despite how healthy fruit is, all that fructose (fruit sugar) will bloat you up quick if you don’t keep it in moderation.

8. Don’t Drink Your Sugar

Again, sugar will bloat you up quickly and high sugar juices like OJ, apple juice, fruit smoothies and processed sugars are a sure fire way to gain water weight quickly. Avoid this by decreasing the amount of sugar you eat and keep sugars minimal however possible. You’ll see results really quickly with this tip and even if you love these beverages, monitoring your sugar is a great way to prevent diabetes and insulin resistance anyway.

9. Don’t Forget Fiber

In the midst of reducing your water weight, don’t forget the fiber! Implement lots of soluble fiber sources and insoluble sources to keep you regular. Avoid some veggies that may be super healthy but not bloat-friendly. These include veggies like broccoli, cauliflower and onions. Instead, eat these another time when you’re not as concerned with bloating, and implement fiber sources like flaxseeds and chia seeds, which can actually help promote regularity and decrease bloating and gas. You’ll shed more water weight and overall weight the more regular you are, so be sure to remember these two great fiber sources, which are also sources of potassium. You definitely want to eat your veggies, but be careful which ones you choose if you’re looking to avoid the bloat.

You’ll also want to watch your intake of salt and processed foods if you’re concerned with bloating. Added sodium from processed foods or table salt bloats you up while potassium helps you shed water weight by also balancing your electrolytes. Remembering this is key to reducing that pesky water weight quickly and efficiently, so eat plenty of potassium rich foods such as veggies, almonds, lower sugar fruits, chia seeds, avocados and yogurt instead of processed foods. What’s your favorite way to beat bloating and get rid of water weight in a healthy way?