Granite Falls Family Medical Care Center

Edward J. Bujold, M.D.

Hydration

Tips for Increasing Your Fluid Intake by Drinking More Water
Under normal conditions, most people can drink enough fluids to meet their water needs. If you are outside in hot weather for most of the day or doing vigorous activity, you may need to increase your fluid intake.

If you think you’re not getting enough water each day, the following tips may help:

• Carry a water bottle for easy access when you are at work or running errands.
• Freeze some freezer-safe water bottles. Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long.
• Choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages. This tip can also help with weight management.
• Substituting water for one 20-ounce sugar-sweetened soda will save you about 240 calories.
• Choose water instead of other beverages when eating out. Generally, you will save money and reduce calories.
• Give your water a little pizzazz by adding a wedge of lime or lemon. This may improve the taste, and you just might drink more water than you usually do.

Do sugar-sweetened beverages count?

Although beverages that are sweetened with sugars do provide water, they usually have more calories than unsweetened beverages. To help with weight control, you should consume beverages and foods that don’t have added sugars.

Examples of beverages with added sugars:

Fruit drinks.
Some sports drinks.
Soft drinks and sodas (non-diet).
Visit Rethink Your Drink for more information about the calories in beverages and how you can make better drink choices to reduce your calorie intake.