We’re so excited about this one! 🙂
As registered dietitian nutritionists, we didn’t need the new study out in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics that showed that people who increased their water by one, two or three cups a day ate up to 205 calories fewer daily and ingested 200 fewer milligrams of sodium daily, to tell us that water helps you get lean and bloat free. And since you’ve been writing us and asking us to share more “detox” drinks, you may have even witnessed first-hand what drinking more water (especially when it tastes great and just happens to have some added bonuses!) does for your energy level and your quest to lose fat too, if that’s your goal.
Our clients who drink these beverages do seem to have some of the best results, which inspires us to keep creating more! They’ve become so important in the success of our clients that we’ve even included them as an important part in our 21-Day Body RebootTM, our life-altering program that helps you to lose your last 10 pounds or more—while going wild on the weekend You may remember some of our other faves!
Cucumber Blueberry Water Flush
Lemon Ginger Turmeric Tea “Detox”
Lemon Ginger Detox drink
Vitamin C Infused “Detox” Water And now we’ve got this dreamy number!
One of the best things about these bloat flushing numbers is that when you drink them, they immediately get your mind back on the healthy track as you know you’re doing something good for your body. Plus, they flood your body with nutrients that help to mop up damage from pollution, stress, environmental toxins and from foods that increase inflammation in the body.
Lessening all of this damage makes your body more resilient and calmer on the inside to help your body repair and rejuvenate—both on the inside and outside. And although your body is equipped to detox and cleanse itself on its own, naturally, certain health-promoting foods and drinks, like this one, assist it in its process.
These drinks help to prevent you from feeling hungry and overdoing it on unhealthy foods as it fills your stomach. Plus, this drink floods your body with anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and ingredients that help the body in its natural detoxification process. This is especially important when it comes to weight loss as these special nutrients are essential for flushing the toxins that are released from your fat cells as a normal part of fat breakdown. If you overindulge, these same nutrients are key to get rid of those toxins!
For you science nerds like us, who like to know why everything is happening in your body, read below to see why this yummy drink works it’s magic:
The water: To fight bloat, water flushes waste from of our system and keeps our kidneys and intestines in tip top shape. And water helps the body to run optimally as every process in the body relies on water.
The Watermelon:
Goodbye bloat! Along with the water in this drink itself, watermelon supplies a hefty dose of water–92%– while also providing ample potassium; the two help to flush bloating sodium and restore normal hydration status so you can kiss puffy hands and feet and a bloated belly goodbye!
- Contains lycopene
Watermelons’ red color comes from the phytonutrient lycopene which not only fights cancer, but it acts a natural sunblock, to help keep your skin young and healthy. Lycopene also has potent anti-inflammatory properties to calm damage inside your body and fight disease (it’s chronic inflammation that’s associated with heart disease, diabetes and cancer!).
Lemons
Lemon helps to promote the activity of a liver enzyme that converts harmful, toxic substances to less harsh chemicals (via the liver through a compound called d-limonene.). Packed with vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant which mops up free radicals from environmental toxins, stress, alcohol, fatty foods and other toxins and helps to prevent them from damaging your body. Vitamin C also keeps the skin radiant and youthful by helping to boost levels of collagen, which helps to keep the skin elastic. And lemons add a refreshing perk to any drink! ;)A fantastic source of vitamin C, lemons not only keep your immune system strong, but vitamin C plays a role in collagen production, so it helps to keep your skin soft and supple. Plus, if you drink this with a food that contains iron, like chicken, fish, spinach or beans, the vitamin C helps you to better absorb the iron!
Cucumber
Cucumbers are packed with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which are especially helpful if you have had too much salt the night before and woke up feeling swollen. Cucumbers are high in both water and potassium, which work their magic because they flush bloat by restoring normal fluid balance; you can kiss puffiness goodbye.
Watermelon Cucumber ACV “Detox” Infusion
You can keep this refreshing elixir chilled in the refrigerator for up to 2 days with the fruit left in the water. Just be sure to remove the citrus rinds to avoid bitterness, as well as any melons or berries (which don’t hold up well when left in the water) after the initial overnight infusion. After removing all of the fruit in the morning, the water can be kept chilled and enjoyed for up to 3 days. .(Note: If you take this awesome “de-bloater” on- the- go with the fruit in it, and it’s unrefrigerated, discard the fruit at the end of the day.
Psst…If you have fruit an infuser water bottle, now is an ideal time to whip it out! 😉
Makes 8 cups (If you’re looking to make a smaller serving and to replenish the water several times, see the recipe below that makes 1 cup serving)
Ingredients
8 cups water (64oz)
1 cup watermelon, cubed and seeds removed
1 medium cucumber, cut into rounds
1 lemon, sliced (remove rinds for overnight infusion)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a glass pitcher and let sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. If leaving overnight, remember to remove lemon rinds to avoid bitter taste. When ready to drink, remove watermelon cubes, leave the lemon and cucumber slices.
Want to prepare a smaller portion and refill with water? Use this recipe. Remember, the fruit will get less flavorful after each refill and you’ll want to add a dash of the apple cider vinegar that you’ll drink out each round.
Ingredients
1 cup water (8oz)
4 cubes watermelon
2 slices cucumber
2 slices lemon
1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar
Ice to chill
Directions
Combine water, ice, cucumber slices, lemon slices and apple cider vinegar. In a separate dish, mash the watermelon cubes with a fork to release the juice. Pour juice in to water. No waiting, you can drink right away.
Nutrition Facts Per Serving (1 serving = 8 ounces): 13 calories, 0 g fat, 0 g protein, 4 g carbohydrate, 6 mg sodium, 0 g fiber
- Makes 8 cups (If you’re looking to make a smaller serving and to replenish the water several times, see the recipe below that makes 1 cup serving)
- Ingredients
- 8 cups water (64oz)
- 1 cup watermelon, cubed and seeds removed
- 1 medium cucumber, cut into rounds
- 1 lemon, sliced (remove rinds for overnight infusion)
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- _____________________________________________________________
- Want to prepare a smaller portion and refill with water? Use this recipe. Remember, the fruit will get less flavorful after each refill and you’ll want to add a dash of the apple cider vinegar that you’ll drink out each round.
- 1 cup water (8oz)
- 4 cubes watermelon
- 2 slices cucumber
- 2 slices lemon
- ¼ tsp apple cider vinegar
- Ice to chill
- Combine all ingredients in a glass pitcher and let sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. If leaving overnight, remember to remove lemon rinds to avoid bitter taste. When ready to drink, remove watermelon cubes, leave the lemon and cucumber slices.
- Want to prepare a smaller portion and refill with water? Use the second recipe above. Remember, the fruit will get less flavorful after each refill and you’ll want to add a dash of the apple cider vinegar that you’ll drink out each round.
- Directions
- Combine water, ice, cucumber slices, lemon slices and apple cider vinegar. In a separate dish, mash the watermelon cubes with a fork to release the juice. Pour juice in to water. No waiting, you can drink right away.