Tasty Flavored Water Recipes For Weight Loss: Part 1

Water is essential to life. It is important to drink water several times each day, especially when on a special diet. Most of our daily water intake is contributed through the food we eat and beverages we consume. We get all the necessary fluids from our carbonated beverages, fruit juices, bottled drinks, milk and teas without drinking pure water each day. However, most beverages are packed with unnecessary additives and calories that are bad for our health and weight loss efforts.

The best way to hydrate our bodies is by drinking pure water. Unfortunately, many persons, especially women don't like the taste of water and find it difficult to consume pure water several times each day. Luckily, there are ways to enjoy water without having to tolerate the bland taste. Here are some tasty flavored water recipes for weight loss.

• If you want a slightly sweet flavored water, add 1 tsp sugar per 8 ounces of water or alternative 0 calorie sweetener.
• Infused fruits and vegetables can be reused in flavored water, cooked in meals or used as snacks after flavoring water.

Ingredients:

12 fresh peppermint leaves crushed

3 whole peppermint leaves

1 quart water

Instructions:

To make this refreshing water, crush 12 fresh peppermint leaves and add them to 1 quart of water. Let stand in water at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. Chill, strain, garnish with whole leaves and serve.

This minty flavored water is revered for suppressing appetite, rather than for its taste. Mint is also soothing on the stomach and is great alternative to plain water when on a detox fast or special diet. Fresh mint is always recommended, however, if you can not get fresh mint, substitute with a few drops of peppermint essential oil instead. This recipe can be made with fresh mint, rosemary or basil as preferred.

Ingredients:

1 small orange thinly sliced in circles.

1 quart water

Instructions:

Put orange slices in quart of water (I recommend using an infusion pitcher for fruits and vegetables). Let stand at room temperature for 15 - 30 minutes. Chill, stir and serve.

Orange is a favorite fruit for many for its sweet, succulent taste. Orange contains high amounts of vitamin c and makes delicious juices and drinks. Making orange infused water is easy but you can also use any other citrus fruit if desired.

Ingredients:

1/2 medium cucumber sliced thinly in circles

1 quart water

Instructions:

Put sliced cucumbers in 1 quart of water and let stand for 30 minutes. Refrigerate to chill, strain if you are not using an infusion pitcher and serve.

Cucumbers are known to be very refreshing. They are used in salads, beverage recipes and even in skin treatments. Cucumbers sooth the skin and stomach. They are quite mild in flavor and are recommended for everyone especially those who cannot have vegetables otherwise. Cucumbers are filled with vitamins, minerals and important enzymes that help to refresh and heal the body.

Ingredients:

12 Raspberries halved

6 whole raspberries

1 quart of water

Instructions:

Put halved raspberries in water and let stand for 15 - 30 minutes. Refrigerate to chill. When you are ready to serve, strain, add the 3 whole raspberries and enjoy.

Sweet and tangy raspberries have made tasteful addition to sweet treats and beverages in kitchens worldwide. Raspberries contain key components that affect weight loss directly. Apart from making great tasting beverages, they are the perfect enhancement for a weight loss diet. Raspberries contain various vitamins and minerals especially high in vitamin c and manganese.

Ingredients:

1 small lemon or lime sliced in thin circles

1 quart of water

Instructions:

Place sliced lemon or lime in infusion pitcher or regular container with 1 quart of water. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The strong sour-sweet taste of lemons have made them a popular additive for tasty and refreshing beverages over the years. They are so versatile and beneficial that they have been used in a wide range of commodities including pastries, main courses, medicines, skin and beauty products. Apart from its high Vitamin C content, lemons contain special flavonoids that act as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents.

Ingredients:

1 medium ripe tomato sliced in circles

1 quart of water

Instructions:

Put sliced tomatoes in the quart of water. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Refrigerate for at least 15 more minutes. Strain when ready to serve.

Fruit or vegetable? Well this has been one of the most used yet controversial vegetation in the world. The tomato is actually a type of berry, thus it being classified as a fruit. It is of course like many other fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Tomatoes make tasty addition to meals, especially salads; and they can also make a tasty water flavoring too.

Ingredients:

1 cup diced watermelon

1 quart water

Instructions:

Place watermelon cubes in water. Let stand for 15 minutes at room temperature then refrigerate until ready to serve. You can strain this beverage before drinking to enjoy the cubes by themselves.

Watermelon is an extremely succulent fruit, abundant in vital nutrients and compounds. Its pleasant taste makes it a choice flavor for confectioneries and beverages around the world. Watermelon is packed with lycopene, an antioxidant as well as citrulline amino acid, which is believed to help break down and reduce the storage of body fat.

Ingredients:

6 large strawberries halved

1 quart water

Instructions:

Place halved strawberries in pitcher with water. Let stand for 30 minutes. Chill, serve and enjoy!

Strawberries are known for their seductive beauty, aromatic scent and delicious taste. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, providing 70% daily value vitamin C per 100g serving and a good amount of manganese. Strawberry will make flavored water that not only tastes and smells great, but filled with anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular health components.

These are seven basic flavored water recipes for weight loss. You can always mix and match ingredients, it really is your choice. It is also safe to use fruits along with vegetables in beverages as well as herbs and spices. Don't be afraid to experiment to see what you like, after all, everyone's taste is different.