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Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Water: How Much Should We Really Drink?
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It seems like a simple enough question, except that there is no easy answer. Studies have provided varying recommendations. However, an individual's water needs are based on many factors, like health, activity level and environmental conditions.Of course, water is extremely valuable since every system in our body depends on it, but your fluid does not have to come solely from water. Other beverages like tea, coffee and juice also count. For those on calorie-controlled diets, water is always the best choice since it has no calories.
In general, for healthy adults living in temperate climate, the dietary recommendations are 13 cups of total beverages for men and 9 cups total beverages for women per day.
But everyone's situation is different. Here are guidelines for personalizing and perfecting your water intake:
- For moderate to intense exercise, add an extra 1-2 cups of water per hour.
- If the weather is hot or humid, increase your water intake.
- If you have a fever, are vomiting or have diarrhea, increase your fluid intake. Use re-hydration solutions like Gatorade and Powerade.
- If you are pregnant, increase your fluid intake to 10 cups per day. If you are breastfeeding, go up to 12.5 cups per day.
So now that everyone has a better idea of how much they should drink, there is no excuse to not drink up!
Michelle, DTR
Nutrition Specialist
"Insist on yourself. Don't imitate"
Labels: water
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