Here’s a confession: I hate drinking water.
I know, I know. You don’t have to tell me how good water is for you. It makes up about 60 to 70 percent of our body weight. Every system in our body depends on it. Drinking water regulates body temperature, flushes out toxins, aids in digestion, and balances blood sugar. I get it.
But to me it’s boring. I’m not one of those people who enjoy the clean, refreshing taste of plain water. And I know I can’t be the only one.
I put together a list for those of us who need a little motivation to drink water. If you have any others to add, please either put them in the Comments section or send an email to [email protected], and let’s stay hydrated together this summer.
Pimp Up Your Ice
Add things like mint, cucumber, or fresh fruit into your ice cube tray then plunk these funky cubes into your water glass to release flavor.
Eat a Salad
A good 20 percent of our water intake comes from food, according to statistics from the Institute of Medicine (IOM). Lots of foods contain varying amounts of water, but fruits and vegetables have the highest percentages. Iceberg lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers, celery, red cabbage, radishes, broccoli, and tomatoes are all more than 90 percent water.
Order the Soup
Water-based bouillons, broths, and consommés are a great way to sneak in extra H2O. If you go the canned route, make sure to buy low-sodium and avoid soups that contain cream, which adds extra fat and calories.
Sip Tea
Drinking herbal tea — which is essentially water infused with leaves and herbs — is a great way to increase your water intake in a flavorful way. Be sure to get the caffeine-free kind, as caffeine is actually dehydrating.
Add a Dash of Juice
Give your regular glass of water an extra shot of flavor with a few drops of your favorite juice (the natural kind, with no sugar added). Cranberry, pomegranate, grape, and apple work well for this trick.
Add Fresh Fruit
Crush raspberries, strawberries, or watermelon right into a pitcher to add fruity flavor. Cucumber is refreshing, too. Prefer a citrusy taste? Go for lemons, limes, and oranges.
Add Frozen Fruit
Keep packages of frozen blueberries and raspberries on hand to drop into water. Not only does it keep your water cool, it adds flavor and nutrients.
Make Spa Water
Watch this video from Jeanne Peters, nutritional director at the Nourishing Wellness Medical Center, who teaches you how to make delicious and refreshing spa water.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You can also halve a couple of fennel bulbs, and drop them into your water pitcher. It lends your water a subtle licorice flavor that’s quite refreshing.
I’ve never heard of that and can’t wait to try it!
I have always found that adding orange slices to my water will get me to drink 7 or 8 glasses without thinking about it. I keep a sliced orange in the office fridge and one at the house. It works, don’t know why.
If you don’t like drinking plain water you
Can try flavored water. My ex used to go to the
Er because he was dehydrated so I bought him flavoered
Water called “Propel” it comes in different flavors & gives
Your body what it needs. My ex hasn’t been back to the er for dehydration issues in over a year thxs to drinkinking propel.
Try it you may like it once you find a flavor that you might enjoy!!