April 2021

Importance of Hydration - What Is the Big Deal?

Staying hydrated is one of the simplest, yet most overlooked, foundations of good health, and it becomes even more important after weight loss surgery. With a smaller stomach, you'll need to sip small amounts frequently throughout the day to reach the 8–10 glasses of water your body needs to function at its best.

Here's why it matters so much, and how to make it easier.

Watch Out for "False Hunger"

Left unchecked, dehydration can actually trigger false hunger signals. It's a survival mechanism, your body's way of nudging you to eat, in the hope that food will provide some of the water it's lacking.

So if you find yourself feeling hungry all the time, try increasing your water intake (away from meals) and boosting your protein, both can help bring things back into balance. And if you're simply feeling drained and exhausted, dehydration could well be part of the picture there too.

Most of Us Don't Drink Enough

Here's the tricky part: our thirst signals are much weaker than our hunger signals. Where we tend to eat at the first hint of hunger, we often ignore or misread the subtle cues that we need water, which is why so many of us walk around mildly dehydrated without realising it.

Staying well hydrated also supports your energy and overall wellbeing, making it easier to stay on track with your health goals.

How Your Body Uses Water

Did you know water makes up around 60% of your body weight? It's involved in almost everything your body does:

Your brain is around 75% water
Blood is around 83% water
Muscles are around 75% water, and bones around 22%
It regulates body temperature
It carries nutrients and oxygen to your cells
It moistens the oxygen you breathe
It helps convert food into energy
It helps flush out waste products
It supports nutrient absorption and helps protect vital organs
It lubricates your joints

When you consider how many essential jobs water does, it's easy to see why even mild dehydration can leave you feeling below par.

Simple Tips to Stay Hydrated

Start your day with water. Begin each morning with at least 500ml of quality filtered water before anything else.

Keep water with you. A reusable BPA-free water bottle makes it easy to sip consistently throughout the day, which is exactly the approach that works best after WLS.

Make it a habit. Aim to work through your bottle across the day, refilling as needed, and remember to keep fluids separate from meals (around 30 minutes either side).

Hydration really is one of the easiest wins for your health — small, consistent sips throughout the day add up to a big difference in how you feel, your energy, and your overall wellbeing.