We hear ya, water isn’t the most exciting drink in the world — but it’s probably the healthiest. Drinking water regulates body temperature, flushes out toxins, aids in digestion, and balances blood sugar, to name a few of its benefits. And water is especially healthy when consumed in lieu of sugary drinks.
There are countless healthy reasons to guzzle your H2O, but many people don’t sip as much as they should. Here’s how to make meeting your daily water dose more of a treat than a chore.
Add Fresh Fruit
Add Fresh Fruit
Natural, fruit-infused water is trendy these days. Make your own at home by smashing raspberries, strawberries, or watermelon right into a pitcher. Cucumber is refreshing, too. Prefer a citrus taste? Go for lemons, limes, and oranges.
Water Down Juice
Water Down Juice
Give your regular glass 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, but go with your taste buds.
Get Creative With Ice
Get Creative With Ice
Make your water extra “cool” by adding flavor to your ice cube tray. Add things like mint, cucumber, or fresh fruit to your usual tray, then plunk these funky cubes into your water glass. Or consider making cubes out of juice, coffee, or tea.
Sip Tea
Sip Tea
Drinking tea — which is essentially water infused with leaves and herbs — is a great way to increase your H2O intake without feeling like you’re guzzling more plain old water. Experiment with different varieties to suit your mood: chamomile to relax before bed, green tea after a big meal (it helps your body burn fat), or ginger when you’re feeling sick to your stomach.
Switch Your Appetizer
Switch Your Appetizer
Can’t squeeze in another glass of water? Have it for dinner by ordering or preparing soup. Water-based bouillons, broths, and consommés are a great way to sneak in an extra serving. If you go the canned route, make sure to buy low-sodium and avoid soups that contain cream, which adds extra fat and calories.
Add Fast Flavor
Add Fast Flavor
If you’re all about convenience and minimal prep time, pick up some sugar-free Crystal Light mix in your favorite flavors.
Eat a Salad
Eat a Salad
A good 20 percent of our water intake is derived 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. So stack up a big, healthy, water-filled plate of it next time you don’t feel like a glass of water. Fruits like watermelon and strawberries are also jam-packed with it.
