Dining out can be an enjoyable experience; however, it may also contribute to overeating and potential weight gain. Nutritionist Deepsikha Jain, known on Instagram as Fries to Fit, offers a practical strategy to maintain health while dining out. The question arises: how can one adhere to health objectives without sacrificing social engagements? The answer lies in a simple beverage choice.

Cosume lemon water before your meal

In a recent video where she shares her dining strategy, Deepsikha advises, “Keep this restaurant tip in mind for your next outing. Mindful eating is crucial, even in restaurants, and this tip can help mitigate excessive damage or sugar spikes. Lemon can decrease sugar spikes by 30 percent, and drinking water before meals can prevent overeating while providing a sense of fullness.”

In a post titled 'restaurant tip to lose weight', she elaborates, “In order to minimize negative effects while dining out, incorporate lemon slices into your water and consume it before your meal. The lemon will help reduce the conversion of starch to sugar in high-glycemic foods, leading to a slower increase in blood sugar levels and thus less harm. Therefore, it is advisable to drink lemon water before enjoying your meal at a restaurant.”

But does this actually work?

Water is an excellent choice to consume before meals, particularly when opting for lemon water over sugary beverages. Substituting sugar-laden drinks with water can significantly lower calorie and added sugar intake.

Drinking lemon water before meals is frequently suggested to enhance digestion, as the citric acid in lemon juice may stimulate the production of stomach acid, potentially aiding in more efficient food breakdown. However, it is essential to consume it in moderation to avoid excessively diluting stomach acid with large quantities of lemon water.

Consuming lemon water prior to meals may enhance and facilitate digestion, according to a 2022 study published in the medical journal Springer. The researchers discovered that the citric acid present in lemon juice increased the secretion of gastric acid, a digestive fluid produced in the stomach that aids in the breakdown and digestion of food.

Additionally, a 2018 study published in the medical journal PubMed Central revealed that participants who were advised to drink water before consuming a test meal ingested less food than those who ate the test meal without first drinking water. Notably, participants did not report feeling significantly less full after drinking water before the meal, even though their food intake was reduced. The authors of the study concluded that consuming water before meals could serve as an effective strategy for weight loss.

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