Unlike many parts of the world, we may have access to clean water but we often prefer to drink our liquids sweetened and flavored with promises of energy and fun. These substances are more of a dessert or a drug (as Dr. Lutig states in his talk Sugar: The Bitter Truth) than a beverage as they are packed with chemicals, additives, colors and sweeteners. A twenty ounce can of soda or energy drink is equivalent to eating about 16 sugar packets. Whether in the form of high fructose corn syrup, agave nectar or organic cane syrup- remember they are all sugar and one is not ‘healthier’ than the other.

Artificial sweeteners are not much better for our health and the endless supply of those paper packets is hardly doing a service to the planet.

Tips… for drinking more of the good stuff

There is this standard rule to drink eight 8-ounce glasses or shall we say 64 ounces everyday. This standard seems to ignore the weight of the individual, climate, exercise, and other conditions. This handy hydration calculator offers some nice guidelines for how much you may need to drink considering your circumstance.

When I consider the many ounces of water I need to consume after using the calculator, I am often tempted to strap a water pack on my back with a little tube to sip as often as possible throughout the day. But, there are a few other strategies that could help as well.

First, start with a hefty glass of water as soon as you take your first sip of the day. Starting with a tall glass of water will give you more energy and the boost you need to effectively get going.

Next, figure out your system. In my home, we each have our own personalized glass that we keep nearby ready for sipping and refilling. It is a great way to drink more, but also keeps us from doing as many dishes. The environment thanks us for that, too.

There is also the lemon slice method. My grandfather had been sick in the hospital and I went to help out. Doctor’s orders included drinking more water, which my grandfather loathed. So I cut a lemon into 8 slices and gave him a new piece of lemon for every new glass. It was a great way to keep track of his intake and he liked the lemon essence more then plain water.

Set aside the water you need for the day. I live in the desert and on those 100+ degree days we all suffer through warm glasses of water as we burn through the ice in our freezer. Filling up large mason jars or pitchers of my water and sticking it in the fridge, keeps me on track with my water needs throughout the day and it is perfectly chilled when I want it.

Bottled Water

For our ‘convenience’ an entire industry of bottled beverages has developed. Whether we are drinking water or something sweet, the plastic bottle is purchased and discarded almost as quickly. This high use of plastic is rather unfortunate, especially since we use finite resource, oil, to make this plastic and have not created the best system for recycling it.
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If you spend any time on the go, find an easy bottle to take with you such as Klean Kanteen.

Still not in love with the seemingly plain taste of water?

Jazz Up Your Water

Add seasonal fruit and herbs, such as cucumber & lime, strawberries, citrus, mint or lemon balm. If you love the sparkle of soft drinks and beer, switch to a glass or two of soda water during the day mixed with fresh squeezed citrus juice.

There is also a whole world of delicious, health-packed beverages out there. If you haven’t had a chance yet, try out coconut water, kefir and kombucha for a refreshing twist. These are also not a substitute for water, but they do not contain processed chemicals, sugars, colors, or additives.

This post is part of the Healthy Body, Healthy Planet Challenge. Join the FREE 30-day challenge to receive more details, tips and email support.

What are your tips for staying hydrated? What changes are you planning to take to increase your water intake? Please comment below!

Cook seasonally. Eat consciously. Live well,