February 12, 2017
Water
Arguably the healthiest thing you can consume.
Water is necessary for pretty much every bodily process and system.
Yet, drinking enough of the stuff seems to be one of the hardest things to do.
Accounting for the water in our daily food intake – about four cups worth, based on an American diet, and the one bonus cup we get just from breaking down our food – we’re still stuck needing seven cups of water to make up the required twelve cups needed to hydrate the average adult.
According to research by the US Department of Agriculture 20% of Americans drink no water at all – and only 25% are getting five or more cups a day – still less than the recommended seven.
Clearly, there is a ton of room for improvement. But how?
Here are my seven tips and tricks that help me get my seven cups of water throughout the day.
Hopefully, they can help you too!
#1. Drink a glass of water as soon you get up
If you’re ambitious, add some fresh lemon juice to it. This can help alkalize your body pH level, and fight inflammation. But really, just stand there in the kitchen and drink that water.
#2. Don’t like the taste of water?
Figure out what vegetable or fruit makes your water taste best … then slice it, and take it in a container to work with you.
Prepping a fresh additive – such as lemons, limes, cucumbers, or berries – will make you more likely to use it, and therefore actually drink your water.
#3. Herbal tea counts
Find a favourite … then drink it without any added sugar or sweeteners. This counts as water intake.
Caffeinated beverages and alcohol do not count. They are diuretics, and make you pee out more than you take in.
#4. Maximize snack time
Whenever you get bored and decide to snack, pour yourself a glass of water at the same time. Then go into another room to drink it.
Chances are you’ll get occupied with something else, drink the water, and forget about that snack.
#5. Drink before cooking and eating
Grab yourself a glass of water, and drink it before you start cooking.
You’ll be in and out of the fridge anyway, so you might as well have some water while you’re there.
It is typically better to drink a glass of water no more than 30 minutes before a meal, rather than during or immediately afterwards.
Water can dilute the digestive acids in your stomach, which can cause the digestive process to take longer.
#6. Give yourself mental rewards …
… by taking a mental health water break at work.
Get up. Head to the kitchen. Grab some cold water … and enjoy being away from your desk.
This is also a prime reason to make herbal tea.
#7. Must have coffee?
Then keep a mug of water immediately next to it, and make sure the water mug is easier to reach than the coffee mug.
Since we tend to mindlessly reach for our drinks, the chances are high that you’ll finish the mug of water before the coffee.
