Mauie Flores

Given a choice between iced tea and lemonade, I would definitely choose the latter. I find lemonade more refreshing, not to mention that it's kinder to my kidneys compared to iced tea. It was only recently that I discovered how lemon water can help in losing weight.

First thing's first, lemonade is different from lemon water. While lemonade is made by mixing freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and lots and lots of sugar and ice, lemon water is just plain lemon juice and water. It also best taken as a warm beverage unlike lemonade.


Photo: “Lemon” by go_nils , c/o Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

Lemons are rich in pectin which, when absorbed, acts like a coating in the stomach that reduces the absorption of sugar from food. This is also the reason why it can help cut hunger pangs and make you feel full most of the time. Lemon juice is high in citric acid but it doesn't make the tummy acidic. You may want to drink lemon water through a straw, though, as citric acid can erode teeth enamel. Lastly, lemons are high in Vitamin C which strengthens the immune system. Lemon water is the best complement to a weight loss diet as it helps the body cope with the minimal amount of nutrients it can take while on a diet.

What I do at home is to squeeze the juice of half a lemon and mix it with warm water then drink it with C-Lium Fibre. Alternately, I just drop a piece of sliced lemon in my cold water for a refreshing drink. Because my goal is to lose weight, I don't add sugar, stevia powder, honey or whatsoever. It just takes getting used to and to avoid the bitter aftertaste, choose ripe lemons that are already orangey yellow in color.

Lemons are cheaper than diet pills, mind you. Instead of spending on these, buy lemons and use what you can save on cheap cheerleading gifts for your daughters. :)

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