Staying hydrated is so important to our bodies – in fact, water makes up more than half of your body by weight! Every cell, tissue, and organ in your body needs water in order to function. Your body also uses water to maintain its temperature, lubricate your joints, and much more.
You need to make sure that you replace all of the water that your body loses naturally. Otherwise, you could become dehydrated, which can lead to fatigue, headache, confusion, and dizziness.
Most health care professionals say that everyone should drink between six and eight 8 ounce glasses of fluid each day. The truth is, though, that some fluids are better for you than others. Continue reading to find out if your hydration habits are correct, or if you could use a little help in making better beverage choices.
When you’re thirsty, have water
If you were to take one thing away from this post, let it be this: your beverage intake should consist of mostly water. It has zero calories, zero fat, zero sugar – water is all zeroes! It is fluid in its purest form, and will allow your body to hydrate while maintaining a healthy weight. If you’re feeling thirsty, don’t reach for a soda – instead, grab a glass of water to satisfy your thirst. It is especially important to drink plenty of water if you are active, if the weather outside is warm, or if you are an older adult.
Manage your beverage calories
It is almost too easy to intake several hundred calories each day in your beverages. Instead of reaching for soda or juice, drink water or unsweetened tea. This will lower your overall daily calorie intake (or free up a few calories so that you can have dessert). There are also lots of flavored water options available at retailers and grocery stores. If you want some flavor or carbonation in your beverages, try these instead of the typical calorie-laden beverages.
Have easy to access healthy drinks
It’s so easy to reach into a fridge or cooler to grab a soda – do your part to encourage your family to drink healthy beverages by making them the easiest to see and grab in your home. Pack water in lunch boxes and backpacks when someone leaves the house so that they have a healthy and convenient beverage at all times while they’re on-the-go.
Know how to indulge
Just like you sometimes indulge in a sweet treat, you may want to indulge in a beverage once in a while. Make sure that sugary beverages are just that – an occasional treat. Before you indulge, read the drink’s nutrition labels and make a mental note of how many servings and calories you are about to consume, and do so in moderation.
If you use this tips, you can help to ensure that your body stays hydrated and healthy – without all of the extra calories and sugar that are present in many popular beverages. And remember, you friends at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency are here to help you stay healthy too! Just call 617-298-0655 to get a quote on Massachusetts health insurance today!
