Its summer time and temperatures are rising. So, whether participating in active travel or staying close to home – hiking, biking, walking, or gardening – a well hydrated body will lead to a more pleasant experience. Drinking water regulates body temperature, flushes out toxins, aids in digestion, and balances blood sugar. But if you're like me, there are times that plain water is not enticing. So here are six ways to make meeting your daily water dose more of a treat than a chore on or off the trail.
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.
Water Down 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, but go with your taste buds.
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 citrusy taste? Go for lemons, limes, and oranges.
Sip Tea
Drinking tea – which is essentially water infused with leaves and herbs – is a great way to increase your intake without feeling like you're guzzling more plain, old water.
Switch Your Appetizer
Can't squeeze in another glass of water? Have it for dinner by eating 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.
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 so stack up a big, healthy, water-filled plate the next time you don't feel like a glass of water. Fruits like watermelon and strawberries are also jam-packed with the liquid.
(Source everydayhealth.com).
