How to Reduce Water Weight

People retain water weight for a variety of reasons, including kidney problems, heart conditions and constipation. Sometimes water weight is related to hormones, especially in women. Many people reduce water weight through prescription medication, but these drugs can be hard on their bodies. Water retention can create a lot of frustration for those who are trying to lose weight. Because the most common cause of water retention is from eating too much sodium, one of the best ways to reduce water weight is to change your diet.

Instructions

• 1

  Be aware of the sodium content in foods and beverages. Stay below 1,000 mg of sodium every day.

• 2

  Eat less-processed foods. Most processed foods contain a lot of sodium, which increases water weight. Because of fluctuating hormones, women are especially predisposed to gaining water weight when they consume too much sodium.

• 3

  Eat fresh fruit each day. Fruit is a natural diuretic. Bananas, apricots and raisins are rich in potassium and magnesium, which help reduce water weight.

• 4

  Eat plenty of vegetables that contain natural diuretics such as tomatoes, carrots, celery, cucumbers and green leafy lettuce.

• 5

  Choose whole-grain carbohydrates instead of white flour and white sugar. Constipation increases water retention, so eating a diet high in fiber helps reduce water weight.

• 6

  Increase calcium intake. Take calcium supplements, eat yogurt and drink 1 percent milk. It's best to get calcium from food sources instead of supplements.

• 7

  Drink up to eight glasses of water every day. If you're drinking diet beverages, switch them with water and ginger or dandelion tea. There is a lot of sodium in most diet drinks, especially sodas.

• 8

  Exercise. It helps reduce water weight through sweating and increased respiration.