Water is the best way to quench your thirst without consuming an excess intake of sugar and added calories from popular sugary beverage choices like soda, juice, sweetened teas, sports drinks, aguas frescas, and vitamin water (to name a few). Sugar sweetened beverages are actually the leading source of added sugar in the American diet.
Many research studies have linked sugar sweetened beverages to obesity in both children and adults. Regularly drinking sugar sweetened beverages is associated with weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, as well as tooth decay and cavities according to the CDC.
Bumping up your water intake and cutting back on sugary drinks can have many positive results including: saving money, lowering extra calorie intake from added sugars, promoting a healthier weight, and helping your muscles and brain stay hydrated for the best mental and physical performance.
Keeping all of that in mind, here are some helpful tips to increase your water intake.
6 Tips to Help Increase Your Water Intake
- When you are thirsty, try to drink water. It is the best way to quench your thirst.
- Serve water with meals instead of soft drinks.
- Cut down your intake of soda, juice, or other sugary drinks. Limit juice to no more than 4 to 6 oz a day.
- Fill your water bottle and keep it with you throughout the day.
- Use a water tracker app on your smart phone to track your daily water intake and set reminders to reach your water intake goals.
- Try infusing your water with lemon, lime, cucumbers, mint leaves, basil, or fresh berries for a little extra flavor.
I hope this week’s post motivates you to cut back on sugary drinks and fall back in love with the simplicity of water. In the words of W.H. Auden, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.”
Royally yours,
The Diet Duchess