[evanchen]

The problem with "solutions" like this is that they don't really fix the problem where it lies. Weight gain is attributed to caloric surplus, there's no two ways about it.

Drinking water before a meal will help you feel a little fuller and ultimately, eat less. People ignorant to nutrition will begin to use this as a free pass to eating even more poorly.

If you really take a step back and look at this, what they are suggesting is filling up with less calorie dense foods (water being the ultimate example), preferably with a high satiety index (here's a list: http://www.mendosa.com/satiety.htm).

[rdtsc]

> People ignorant to nutrition will begin to use this as a free pass to eating even more poorly.

One danger would be that they would wash out too many useful substances out of their body by drinking to much liquid.

I would also imagine so much liquid dilutes the stomach juices and the food doesn't digest properly. I don't have any scientific basis for this btw, just a hunch.

> ... what they are suggesting is filling up with less calorie dense foods

Another way to accomplish the same thing (for me at least) is to eat spicier, more flavorful foods.

[hugh3]

I would also imagine so much liquid dilutes the stomach juices and the food doesn't digest properly. I don't have any scientific basis for this btw, just a hunch.

I've never heard of that happening, or anything like it. There is such a thing, supposedly, as water intoxication though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_intoxication

It's not a serious concern for anyone not running marathon distances or taking part in a water-drinking competition, though.

[pbhjpbhj]

>There is such a thing, supposedly, as water intoxication

Why do you doubt that water intoxication exists? Exertional Hyponatremia for example doesn't seem to have any gross reasons to doubt.

[kahawe]

On the upside if you are more conscious about your diet and go for proteins (to feel full longer), fresh stuff and less carbs then lots of water are practically mandatory to prevent gout. So the article's point of drinking lots of clean water being good for you is pretty spot on IMHO - regardless of dodgy science or faulty methods.

[evanchen]

Absolutely. There's nothing wrong with drinking water.

I'm just a little annoyed at the article, because all it offers the reader is something along the lines of "drink water before meals, it helps you lose weight, but we're not sure why!"

Any dietician could immediately them that they're losing weight because of a caloric deficit-- a result of feeling more full from the water.

I would have just preferred they point it out rather than equate a glass of water before meals to some sort of magic pill.