Not Consuming Enough Water? Here are 6 Top Tips & 13 Recipes to Help You Improve!
Hey gorgeous!
As the temps keep climbing, I’ve noticed an interesting issue everyone seems to be having- drinking enough water. Curious because it’s SO bloody hot that you’d think we’d all be absolutely parched.
Alongside this, is that everyone is trying to get summer-bod ready yet can’t seem to understand why they’re struggling with progress.
Can you guess what the setback is?
Ya, it’s NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER! At least in part.
Even those of us who typically drink 3-5 liters a day still have days where water consumption feels like the greatest feat.
We are mostly made of water. Water is highly conductive and we are electrical. If we don’t drink enough water, we’re totally screwing up our health by slowing down our cognitive function, metabolism, and digestion, dulling our skin, hair, and nails, negatively impacting our sleep quality, and more (including making us less conductive, which energetically speaking, is far from ideal).
If you want to be happy and healthy, you *have* to drink enough water.
How much water should you drink?
At LEAST 0.5oz per pound of body weight. Ideally, 1oz/lb.
For example, if you weigh 160lbs, you should drink no less than 80oz of water a day, 160oz is optimal.
If you live in a hot place, you’ll need to add at least 1-2 more (reusable) bottles to that!
To help you meet your daily targets for keeping hydrated, here are my top 6 tips:
- Get a bottle with measures on the outside so you can keep track of your water consumption.
- Get an app that reminds you to drink water periodically or set alarms on your phone.
- Take a sip of water every 15 minutes.
- Infuse water with fruit, herbs, or vegetables for added benefits & natural flavors! Recipe ideas below ;)
- Keep a glass of water by your bed so you have some at night and as soon as you wake up.
- Have a glass of water 15 minutes before each meal. This will help you hydrate and reduce calorie consumption at mealtime!
Chugging water is not very helpful as it goes straight through rather than getting a chance to be absorbed. Sip throughout the day for best results!
If you still feel thirsty after drinking water, you probably need some electrolytes. This is where the infused options are also helpful but if you’re super low (perhaps from exercise, excessive sweating, or several trips to the toilet), coconut water is an excellent option.
It should be noted, however, that coconut water is still heavy on the sugar carbs so it should be a solution to balance electrolytes and not a sole option for hydration.
Recipes for infused water:
Filtered water is (obviously) the base, though, you could opt for soda water for a fun twist from time to time! Just a few slices, pieces, leaves, and/or drops of each ingredient per serving will do the trick 😁👌
Cold Options:
- Cucumber
- Cucumber Basil
- Cucumber Mint
- Cucumber, Mint, Bee Pollen, Lime, Honey
- Mint & Berries
- Ginger & Honey
- Raspberry & Lemon/Lime
- Blueberry & Lime
- Orange Slices
- Apple Slices
- Berries (any and all!)
Hot Options:
- Lemongrass, Mint, (then add) Honey, & Lime (can add cucumber too!)
- Ginger, Turmeric, Black Peppercorns, Cinnamon Stick (then optionally add) Honey, & Lime
You can make and store these in individual glass bottles or jars or you can make a large pitcher to store in the fridge 🙃
Some of these are more tonic elixirs, sure, but you’ll still get your water intake up and get loads of benefits! Easy on the honey- it is still sugar, after all 😜
Also, note that honey loses its natural benefits if it gets too hot so if you’re adding to the hot options, allow it to cool a bit before adding 😊
I hope this has given you some doable ideas for keeping hydrated this summer, my love!
Let me know in the comments below if you try any of the tips or recipes and how you go! 😍
xoxoxo,
Nadia
PS- Feel free to share this with anyone you know who needs a little help in the water consumption department 😌