One of the simplest things many of us can do to improve our health is drink more water. It need not be from a bottle (though it's a great idea to carry a re-fillable glass or stainless steel one!). It need not have gone through reverse osmosis. We are blessed in this part of the world to have cold, clean water that comes out of a tap - inexpensive, life-giving, miraculous. And yet many of us don't drink enough. The consequences? We are sluggish (water is necessary to deliver nutrients to our cells and tissues); our brains are foggy (our brain cells depend on water to bring them essential oxygen and glucose); our bodies ache (water helps to clear away waste from our natural metabolic reactions); we are constipated (water bulks up our stool, making it easier to eliminate); we are DRY (cracked lips and knuckles, anyone??). Drinking more water might even help maintain a healthy weight! Kids in particular are vulnerable to dehydration, and may not recognize when they are thirsty.
I'm not talking coffee. I'm not talking juice. I'm not talking pop - diet or otherwise. I'm talking the real deal. BUT there is no magic volume - that "eight cups a day" rule doesn't hold much ... water. How much we need depends on how much physical activity we're getting, how dry/hot the environment is, whether we're struggling with an illness, and how big our bodies are. It also depends on how much moisture there is in our diets. A person who eats a diet rich in fresh fruits, veggies and water-based foods (think soups, stews, porridges) needs less water straight-up. Being mindful of our thirst and taking a quick peek at our urine after going (kids love this) should give us a clue ... healthy urine should be see-through and pale yellow ... not perfectly clear, and not as dark as apple juice. Unless you are really going overboard, particularly if you're an endurance athlete, there's rarely harm in working in more water. Ready for some tips?
1. Just drink it! Cold or warm, flat or fizzy (just watch the sodium content) ... find what turns you on. Savour it!
2. If plain water bores you, jazz it up with some added fruits or veggies! Sliced cucumber or lemon, or a handful of berries look lovely in a pitcher of agua and add a touch of flavour. When that beautiful pitcher is at the front of the fridge, or in a prominent place on the counter, who can resist??
3. Teas (the non-caffeinated version*) count! The bonus is that they can be individualized to your health needs. That's an entirely other blog post (stay tuned!), but start with these suggestions: chamomile when someone needs to chill; peppermint for an after-meal digestif; ginger with lemon for a refreshing pick-me-up; or nettles for an extra hit of iron. I suggest making a big vat of your family's favourite and drink it room-temperature or cold.
4. If your kids are used to drinking something else (milk, juice ... or even pop), and refuse to drink the plain stuff, slowly dilute what they will drink (with or without their cooperation) over time until it is mostly or completely unadulterated water. Then work on the other strategies mentioned above!
* black and especially green teas are full of amazing antioxidants and can definitely be enjoyed; however, the caffeine can be a bit dehydrating if that's all that's being consumed, and may be too stimulating for some