Hydration, you are absolutely right, especially if you are trying to loose weight. If you are properly hydrated your urine will be very pale yellow, like a manila file folder. Any darker and you should immediately drink a glass or two of water. Eight glasses a day is good, especially taking at least one before each meal or snack for weight loss.
I’ve heard recently that the problem with drinking a lot of water before a meal is that it dilutes the acid in your stomach so food doesn’t digest properly. That its best to drink an hour or so after a meal so as to give your food time to digest.
may not be true but sounds sensible on its face.