Staying hydrated is important. Your body needs a lot of water to function properly. Drinking enough water helps you fight fatigue, think clearer, prevent kidney stones, improve your skin and digestive health, and keep your muscles and joints in working order. However, many people don’t like the taste of water.
Usually water is tasteless. However, tap water sometimes has impurities that cause a slightly unpleasant flavor. Bottled water can become infused with plastic, especially if it’s been sitting at room temperature for a while. Some people just don’t like things that are tasteless. But there are ways to stay hydrated without drinking water (though it’s good to drink at least some pure water every day if possible).
1. Infused Water
Put a few pieces of your favorite fruit in a pitcher for a few hours and the juice will be drawn out into the water, giving it a mild fruity flavor. Many fruit juices are high in sugar so this is a good compromise.
If you don’t want to use fruit, try putting a small splash of fruit juice in your water. It gives the water some flavor without having as much sugar as an entire glass of fruit juice. This also has the added benefit of making your fruit juice last longer, potentially saving money in the long run.
2. Fruits and Vegetables
Many fruits and vegetables mostly contain water, along with many other nutrients that help you feel energized and refreshed. Eating fruits such as strawberries and watermelons can add up to a surprising amount of water. However, it’s important to remember to consume them in moderation. Fruits contain natural sugar, but even natural sugar is unhealthy in excess. On the other hand, both fruits and vegetables also contain fiber, which helps the body process sugar and can also help improve digestive health.
3. Soup
Soup broth is mostly water, and many of the ingredients in soup also have plenty of fluids: carrots, celery, and many types of meat. Soup can be hot or cold so it’s perfect as a year-round meal. It also reheats well so it can be made in bulk and then frozen to eat later. It’s also a balanced meal depending on the ingredients used. Broth, especially warm broth, is also good for sore throats and upset stomachs.
4. Milk
Milk not only contains mostly water, but it also has many important nutrients. Many doctors actually recommend it above sports drinks for recovery after a workout due to its ability to replenish electrolytes and other resources used in exercise. Milk has calcium for bone strength, vitamin D for mood regulation as well as skin health, protein for slow-burning energy, and vitamins B and B12 for digestive and nervous system health.
5. Coconut Water
As one of many popular “superfoods,” coconut water contains manganese, magnesium, potassium, and many other vitamins and minerals. It also might be an antioxidant and has been shown to reduce cholesterol. Like milk, it can help replenish electrolytes after a workout. It’s low in calories and carbs so it’s healthier than many juices.
Reflect & Refresh 