More years ago than I care to remember, drinking two litres of water became a frequently quoted fact. While there is some truth to this, its not quite so black and white.
First of all, you need approximately two litres of water a day however this includes the water you get from the food you eat. It also includes the water in your teas and coffees because although they are diuretics (they temporarily increase your urine output), the overall effect of the water they give you is far greater than their diuretic affect.
Now I do not, for one second, underestimate the importance of being properly hydrated. Dehydration, as well as causing you to feel unwell, contributes to dry skin, poor digestion and thirst can often be confused with hunger. But there’s a far easier way to stay well hydrated…
Listening to your body!
In our busy lives, its often the simplest things that fall over first, but if you take a moment to listen to your body you will find that its very good at telling you what you need. Thirst is a fabulous indicator of hydration. Although some might say that thirst is a sign that you are already dehydrated, to me that’s like saying “hunger is a sign that you are already malnourished”. Drink when you are thirsty. Keep a small bottle of water in your handbag. I always carry a little 250mL water bottle with me. It’s small enough that it fits into most bags and isn’t too heavy. It also means that if I’m thirsty when I’m out, I always have water on hand instead of reaching for a smoothie or a juice. If you’re still not sure, check the colour of your urine. A light yellow colour means you are spot on. The darker it gets the more dehydrated you are, and too light means you are possibly drinking too much.
Finally, there is no better drink to hydrate your body than water.
