Diet & Fitness

Is drinking water important even in the winter?

When we think of the holiday season, we often think of all the food that comes with celebrating the season. This makes it easy to overlook an important component of good health: WATER! Just because it's holiday time doesn’t mean you should neglect staying hydrated.

Your body needs water to operate efficiently. If you allow yourself to become dehydrated, your mood can suffer -- making you feel tired, stressed or cranky!

We all know the holiday season can be a stressful time in itself, so let’s not add to it! Keep drinking; you may even feel you're hungry when in actuality, what your body is craving are more fluids…and I don’t mean the alcoholic kind!

What to Drink: To keep hydrated, we know water is the first pick. But of course, alcohol and soft drinks are almost guaranteed to be available during these winter months and at social functions or parties. Both alcohol and caffeinated beverages tend to have a diuretic effect on our bodies, meaning it flushes water from the body at a quicker rate.

If you are consuming any sort of liquid calories, try not to indulge, limiting excess calories from alcoholic drinks or sodas. Try alternating a glass of water between drinks. This way, you can still enjoy yourself, but not go overboard.

Seasonal Travelers: It may not be easy to drink as much when you are traveling (especially when flying…those bathrooms are way too small), but keep doing it. Carry a water bottle with you at all times; the more it is available, the more likely you are to drink.

Water and Weather: Cooler weather might make you feel less thirsty. Even though it may not be 90 degrees outside, you still need the fluid for your system to run properly. We lose a great deal of water from our bodies in the winter due to respiratory fluid loss when we breathe.

So while it's true that that cool glass of water isn't as tempting as it would be on a hot summer day, water is still important. This may be a good time to drink water at room temperature or even hot water -- it will help warm you up and hydrate at the same time!

Keeping Fit: Keeping fit during the holidays includes drinking more water. Our bodies work harder under the weight of that extra clothing, and sweat evaporates quickly in cold, dry air. Even though you may not feel it as much, it’s still important to replenish those lost fluids.

Remember that when in doubt, grab a glass or bottle of nature’s goodness: water! Happy holidays!

Have a diet question for Pam? Email askpam@ediets.com and check back to see if your question is picked! And if you missed a previous column, click here to see the archive.

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