Often we may confuse thirst for hunger. I eat on a very regular schedule as much as possible. If I feel hungry, I’ll first drink water (or green tea); often the hunger will subside. Drinking water might even help reduce diabetes, which is increased in folks who are overweight or obese. (PS: I don’t drink diet soda, either).
I eat fruit. I stopped drinking juice. Before I lost weight, I drank up to 1/2 gallon a day of grapefruit juice – healthy, right? Wrong!!! Much too much sugar. That represents about 10 grapefruits; 1 grapefruit is approx. 80 cal. I could never EAT that much grapefruit. Juice allows you to consume far more sugar/calories, plus you don’t get all the fiber.