Does Lemon Water Make You Feel Full?

"Close-up of Cut Lemon" by Marina Shemish

About a month ago, my visit teacher suggested I try lemon water to create a feeling of fullness at night. I've tried lemon water now for a few days. I think it has helped. Last night, I didn't feel hungry right before bedtime. There was a two hour gap between eating and sleep. That's a novelty for me these days. So does it really work or is this only anecdotal evidence?

It has multiple health benefits that aid in weight loss, but also in overall health. It helps in digestion by creating more bile. Lemons have vitamin C for the immune system and other benefits. There are more benefits. There was a study done in 2008 by the Sugiyama Jogakuen University in Japan. The polyphenols aid in weight loss. I don't understand it completely, but here's a link to the study.

Adding sugar to the water negates the weight loss benefits because it's not wise to drink your calories. Lemon water is aa good replacement for juice, soda, and coffee (I don't drink coffee).

Tomorrow I go in for a body fat test. How much of me is muscle? (Focus on the positive, instead of fat percentage. :)

Last night I went to bed by 11 pm. An hour later than I should. Still feel tired this morning.

Day 13: To the Movies

"Popcorn" by Cristie Guevara

I kept track of what I ate on My Fitness Pal today. I ate one of the suggested 40-30-30 breakfasts: oatmeal, cottage cheese, almonds, 1 teaspoon of milk and low glycemic sweetener. (The Formula suggests fructose, or fruit sugar, but blue agave is easier to find. My former trainer suggested it.) I got in some upper body toning this morning and walking around running errands.

For lunch, I ate watermelon, string cheese, chicken & barley soup. I still felt hungry after eating, so I probably didn't have enough protein. I don't know. My stomach felt upset. I was at my husband's computer desk when I found a gold nugget--a mini chocolate gold nugget! That seemed to help. I grazed on more watermelon during the afternoon. Watermelon is a high glycemic fruit, so it doesn't keep me full very long.

For dinner, I had three pieces of combo pizza. I feel better because we get it from a local store that makes it healthier than some of the chains--it's not very greasy. Also half of a pizza was left after the whole family ate. Usually I would have eaten that half of the pizza by now. Progress.

We went to see Inside Out at the theater tonight. My preschooler was scared during some of the scenes. It seems to be more of a preteen, teen, and adult movie. Little kids have a much simpler understanding of feelings. My kids screamed at some parts and cheered at others. A movie about emotions brought a lot of emotions to my children...more than normal for a movie.

Of course I had to have popcorn and one candy. Only one candy! I had diet soda, but I've heard that some sugar substitutes actually mess more with metabolism. WebMD discusses artificial sweeteners here. However, I didn't want sugar filled soda. Don't want to drink my calories. I got buttered popcorn because it provides a little more balance with the fat from the high glycemic popcorn.

Day 8: Busy Morning

"Ham and Cheese and Fruit" by Petr Kratochvil

I was up early this morning and wanted to go back to bed. A little too nervous with the schedule of the busy week ahead. I ate multi-grain cheerios and milk. While I was running errands, I brought along veggie straws, strawberries, and string cheese. Made for a healthier snack :). I might have gotten a donut like my son did. I saved a dollar!

Fruit and cheese is a good combination of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in a snack. It's recommended in The Formula. (My snack was not as pretty as the picture.)

Had spaghetti for dinner. Two zone bars (40-30-30) and strawberries and cheese for an evening snack. It was healthier and less than some of my other snacks. I can't remember my afternoon snacks. Had a couple jelly beans left lying around the house. I love when I find candy around the house! It's a treasure hunt. It's almost better than finding money.

I did go to bed before 11 pm last night. Back to more sleep after three nights of going to bed too late. I feel like I need to go to bed by 10 pm instead. Later: I retired at 11 pm. I was reading a book and I didn't stay up late!!!