10 easy tips to help drink more water

It is no surprise to anyone that water is likely to be the healthiest drink one may have. While it is true that we do not always know of everything that may be in it (fluoride debate anyone? or what filtering system to choose to get the cleanest drink possible?), water remains the safest drink to turn to. Why then, so many of us drink other beverages, and how can this be changed?

A combination of habits and sweetness being easy on our taste buds probably cover most cases. If you got into the habit of turning to coffee, or tea, or milk or sodas, it is a challenge to switch from a tasty (as in “with taste”) to a “tasteless” drink, so to speak.

If you decided to turn to water more often and could use a little help doing so, here are some tips that will be handy to ease the switch:

1. Temperature: Find out which water temperature you like the most, and make sure you always have some on hand. If you like it ice cold, find a container where you can keep it iced all day.

2. Flavor: Add lemon juice, lime juice, orange slices, cucumber slices, berries or herbs/herb extracts (like peppermint).

3. Bubbles: If you like soda, try sparkling or flavored mineral water: none of the calories and all of the carbonation.

4. Bottles: Having a water bottle you like around all the time will make you want to fill it up over and over – and show it off. BPA free of course.

5. Straws: Because sometime sipping from a straw can help you drink more.

6. Wake up with it: Starting your day with a glass of water is easier because you’re thirsty from that (hopefully) nice long night of sleep you’ve had.

7. Brew something: Sometimes we overlook tea as a source of hydration, but if you avoid caffeine and sugar, tea is a great hydrator!

8. Remember how good it is: Once you start a healthy water habit, you’ll start realizing how good you feel when you do drink it. And if you start losing weight, keep that in mind every time you think about drinking something else!

9. Use it as a diet tool: Before you reach for a snack, drink a glass of water. Before you eat, and in between meals, feelings of hunger can be mistaken for feelings of thirst. Drink more of it and save calories when you’re really just thirsty.

10. Keep it clean: Tap water is usually fine, but sometimes it and even ice can get a funky flavor that makes you not want to drink it. So invest in a filter, water filtration system, a softener, or a delivery system. Anything that helps it taste better is an investment worth making!