Life
Sneaky Ways To Drink More Water Every Day
Sometimes finding ways to drink more water can feel so boring/impossible — it’s no wonder many people do not get the recommended amount of water into their diet on any given day. There are so many benefits of consuming water, yet it’s difficult sometimes to bring ourselves to do enough of it. For one, water is flat-out vital for our survival. So… there’s that. But, also, it can help us manage our metabolism, give us energy, and help us maintain focus throughout the day.
It's recommended that the average adult consume about eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day. However, many Americans don't even come close to meeting this goal. In fact, according to a 2013 study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 43-percent of adults drink less than four cups of water per day. What can we do to change this for ourselves, and amp up our water intake? Actually, it can be quite simple.
Here are 11 tricks to sneaking water into your diet. Using these tactics, you won’t even have to try to get your daily quota in, and you’ll find yourself quickly feeling healthier, too.
1. Add A Cup Of Water With Lemon To Your Morning Routine
Can’t bear the thought of giving up your morning coffee habit? No sweat. Instead, in addition to your cup of caffeine, have a glass of water with a spritz of lemon. It’s a great way to ensure you’re getting the necessary hydration in the morning, while also allowing your body to reap the benefits of lemon juice, which helps boost immunity and detoxify your system, among other things. By mentally having the coffee/water combo going hand-in-hand, you'll find you won't easily forget that morning glass of water.
2. Mix In Water Between Cocktails
Prohibition didn’t work for a reason — strongarming people to stop drinking alcohol just isn’t a solid tactic. So, rather than forcing you to stop drinking all together, try mixing in an 8-ounce glass of water in between alcoholic drinks when you’re out on the scene. In addition to adding to your daily water intake and preventing dehydration, it will also help ease a potential hangover by slowing the absorption of alcohol into your body.
3. Download An App To Track Your Intake
The competitive side in many of us loves a challenge, so why not use that in our favor when trying to up our daily water intake? By using certain apps — including Waterlogged and MyFitnessPal — we can closely monitor how much water we are drinking each day. You’ll quickly become addicted to the feeling of reaching your goal.
4. Fill Up On Broth-Based Soups
Next time hunger creeps up on you, try a bowl of soup. The broth contains plenty of water content, and it'll satisfy your appetite simultaneously. Broth-based soups definitely offer a flavorful means of hydrating. Now that the cold weather is about to be upon us, it makes this an even more appealing option.
5. Eat More Fruits And Vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables are also water-rich. By adding extra of your favorites you’ll quickly and easily be hydrating your body, without really even having to force yourself. Fruits and vegetables that are super rich in water include watermelon, tomatoes, eggplant, oranges, and celery, just to name a few.
6. Carry A Refillable Water Bottle With You
You know how your phone is always attached to your hand? Well, try attaching a refillable water bottle to the other. It will serve as a constant reminder of your body’s need for hydration. What’s more, you can bring it with you wherever you go. Off to a meeting at the office? Bring it. Running errands around town? Bring it. At the gym? Well, of course… bring it!
7. Add Some Berries To Your Cup
If plain water just isn't doing it for you, you’re not alone. Spice things up a little by adding some fresh strawberries or blueberries to give your water some flavor. It will prevent your glass from feeling so full. If you’re not a berry person, opt for alternatives, like cucumbers, limes or even ginger.
8. Find A Brand Of Water You Love
We’re trying to accomplish the task of getting more water into our diets, and here I am suggesting you use your hard earned cashed to purchase bottled water. But, bear with me — for some people, this actually works. I, for one, am obsessed with Evian water. I cannot get enough. To me it tastes like it’s coming from the freshest of fresh springs directly into my mouth. I know if I have my favorite brand around, I’m likely to be drinking it religiously.
Can’t wrap your head around spending money every single day on water? Instead, try investing in a good water purification system. This could be as simple as purchasing a Brita or setting up a filter to your faucet. Trust me when I say the water will taste better, and you’ll suddenly feel more inclined to drink it.
9. Have A Glass Before Each Meal
We’ve already covered the concept of drinking a glass of lemon water in the morning, but try extending this habit by drinking a glass of water with each meal throughout the day. It’s difficult sometimes when we’re on the run, but think of each meal as a whole package, rather than just the food component. Don’t have the food without the water.
10. Dilute Your Other Beverages
Are you a juice person? Or someone who can’t get enough iced tea? Well, fear not. All beverages naturally contain water components to begin with, but by diluting them with additional parts water, you’ll be able to up your intake while still maintaining that flavor you love. For instance, try filling your glass 3/4 with your beverage of choice, and adding water as the remaining 1/4.
11. Add Some Ice
Not only does this add to your drink’s water content, but it also makes the beverage generally more appealing to drink. Many people prefer cold water. By adding some ice to your glass, you might soon find the beverage to be much more enjoyable. Also, you can kill two birds (or glasses or water, should we say) with one stone by adding frozen fruit to your cup in place of ice. This will chill up your beverage while also giving it that added flavor.
No longer do we have to feel as though drinking water is a chore. By following these tips, we can make water consumption both simple and tasty.
