No, that’s not how Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner goes. Instead, these are the words of the one and only Homer Simpson…and they ring very true.
Fellow #Clicksters – how many of you can honestly say you drink enough water every day?
In an increasingly health-conscious society – one that idolises ‘Instagram models’, clean eating and ‘fitspo’ – many of us still neglect the importance of this essential substance and forget how easy it is to consume.
The average person should be drinking between 2.1 – 2.6 litres of water per day dependent on factors such as age, weight, physical activity and gender (find out how much water you should be drinking here).
Who actually wants to sit around and drink 8-10 cups of water per day, though?
Luckily, there are ways to ensure you’re meeting a healthy quota without having to knock back glass after glass of tasteless, odourless liquid like it’s going out of fashion:
Eat water-rich foods
Common foods such as cucumber (96%), zucchini (95%), watermelon (92%) and grapefruit (91%) are all extremely rich in water and are tasty options that can accompany meals, get mixed in with salads or be eaten at your desk.
Make your water fun
You can add a healthy flavour kick by adding a slice of lemon, chopped cucumber, a few mint leaves or some berries. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, freeze some chopped fruit and use it as a substitute for ice cubes (on a hot day or after a workout, this is amazing).
Alternatively, if you (like me) adore fruit juice and nothing in the world could convince you to substitute it for H2O, don’t be afraid to dilute it with water – it still tastes great!
Drink tea
Rich in antioxidants and in – you guessed it – water, drinking tea is a delicious and soothing way to increase your daily water intake.
Start your day with a flavour-rich English breakfast tea or drink a relaxing peppermint tea before bed and you’ll be happily hydrated in no time. Just mind the caffeine – although tea contains less caffeine than coffee, some teas have a diuretic effect that can actually hinder your hydration levels if consumed excessively.
Embrace sparkling mineral water
Instead of blasting your recommended daily intake of sugar to smithereens by gulping down a glass of soft drink, replace it with a sparkling mineral water – you still get to enjoy the bubbles and, best of all, you save room in your sugar RDI for tastier treats (chocolate, I’m looking at you). Win-win!
Finally, don’t neglect water at Friday night knock-off drinks!
Keep yourself hydrated (and presentable) by sneaking in a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage on a night out. You’ll hardly notice what you’re drinking and you’ll feel infinitely better the next morning, trust me.
If this is not an option (you party animal, you), try using soda water as a mixer. You’ll stay hydrated, cut down on calories and still enjoy the night.
Happy drinking!
Jeremy Menz
Water Aficionado
