by Megan Sheckells
Have you drunk enough water today? For a lot of us, the answer is no. While it’s important for our health, let’s face the facts; a lot of us do not enjoy drinking water. So this is going to be a guideline for you, and me, on how to drink more water when you don’t like it.
Sometimes we have to take steps we don’t feel like taking, and for a lot of us in the U.S., sugary drinks are the one habit we can’t seem to kick. I go through some days where nightfall hits and I haven’t sipped plain water all day. Needless to say, this relationship with water is wreaking havoc on our health, and our skin.
Kelly Wagner, a registered dietitian at nutriving.com, highlights the recommended daily fluid intake. According to the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, men should aim for 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids per day, while women should aim for 11.5 cups (2.7 liters). This includes water, beverages, and food. While some fluid intake comes from food, it's important to prioritize drinking water to meet the majority of your daily hydration needs.
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However, that doesn’t mean we should force-feed ourselves water either. Wagner states, “As with many things in nutrition, hydration is not black and white. Drink when you’re thirsty. Try to spread your water intake throughout the day to avoid finding yourself very thirsty and chugging water right before bed.
Our hydration needs are individual, and can fluctuate from day to day depending on how much water we get from food, how active we are, what our environment is like, etc.” So, it’s good to know that there are other indicators of how hydrated we are. Wagner continues, “The color of your urine can be a helpful indicator as well. A pale yellow color is a good target.”
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If you're like me, the taste of plain water can be uninspiring. However, there are numerous ways to increase water intake in a more enjoyable manner. Jenna Appel, registered dietitian and CEO of appelnutrition.com, recommends trying some exciting and challenging methods.
Appel suggests, "Download a water-tracking app to stay on top of your hydration game. These apps can provide reminders and help track your water intake throughout the day." Personally, I believe a reminder would make a significant difference for me. Stay hydrated!
However, there are times when we need to hydrate ourselves quickly, and that's where IV therapy can be beneficial. IV therapy is a fast and effective way to replenish fluids, electrolytes, and essential nutrients in your body. If you're interested in learning more about IV therapy and how it can benefit your health, be sure to read AZ IV Medics's 101 guide on the topic.
If water is still too boring Appel suggests trying fruit-infused water to add more flavor. “Experiment with fruit: *Adding different fruits to your pitcher of water can help change the flavor in a subtle way that makes it more satisfying. Experiment with different flavors and find what works for you.”
If that still doesn’t float your boat (hopefully floating in the refreshing water, and not something sugary), you can always appeal to your sense of self. Buy a water bottle you truly like, and carry it with you throughout the day.
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While it’s not even close to the most exciting part of our diets, water is necessary for our health and bodily functions in a lot of ways. There are many little tips and tricks out there to help you get more water in your system, and they’re worth exploring. Just like with a lot of new habit-forming it’s going to take some effort to make water a priority. If you need to, consider getting a friend in on it, too.
Then you can both remind each other to drink more water, and see who meets their goal at the end of the week. Whatever you do, make sure to give yourself credit where credit is due. Progress of even one extra sip of water a day is still progress! You could even break your water intake into smaller benchmarks so you can see that progress more clearly. It’s not the most fun, but it’s worth it. Try to take some time to find out what works for you.
Sources:
Appel, Jenna. Personal Interview, 30 Aug. 2021.
Wagner, Kelly. Personal Interview, 30 Aug. 2021.