Improving My Diet - Part 3 (Drink Up!)

This article is the third installment of my series on improving my diet (and maybe yours too).  This week I will address water intake.  We all know that drinking water is good for us, but do we know why?  Even if you do know why, it is never bad to re-read it and to re-evaluate your current intake.

Because each person is different, we need different amounts of water.  But regardless of our shapes and sizes, we are all roughly two-thirds water and it makes since that our bodies would function best when properly hydrated.  A good rule of thumb is to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water each day.  So if you weigh 150lbs you should try to drink 75oz of water each day.  Start out with a glass of water when you first wake up; you’ll be surprised at how awake you feel.  Once you get into a habit of drinking water, it will come naturally.  You will start to crave water over sugary drinks.  

So why is water so important?  Let’s review a few of my favorite benefits to drinking water.  We all know that water has zero calories, but did you know that if you drink cold water, your body has to use energy (burn calories) to warm it up. Who doesn’t want to burn a few extra calories here and there?  Water is also a terrific appetite suppressant and it is an inexpensive alternative to sugary drinks when eating out. Drinking a glass of water before a meal helps you feel full faster and eat less.  When we get to the installment on portion size, you’ll be thankful that you are already in a habit of drinking water before eating!  There is no doubt, being well hydrated keeps our body functioning properly but have you heard that water is also helps keep skin looking young.  Think about a dried up grape, it turns into a wrinkly raisin.  Dehydration has a similar effect on our skin.  So drink up!  

I am not going to go into all of the beneficial effects water has on our internal organs because this article would become a book.  Just trust me, we need water because it’s really good for us!  A few tips I have found that help me drink more include starting out my day with a glass of water, drinking ice or cold water, and adding fresh lemon to my water.  Try some of these to help get started if you feel like water isn’t the drink for you.  Like I said earlier, the more water you drink, the more water you want!

Here is a great infographic that details the benefits of staying properly hydrated.  

As always, if you have questions, concerns, or just want to chat, please feel free to come by the Hunt County AgriLife Extension office, 2217 Washington Street, Greenville, Texas, 75401, call (903) 455-9885, or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu.