HOW
MUCH DO YOU NEED?
The average female between the
ages of nine and 18 needs approximately nine eight-ounce glasses
each day, more if you’re very physically active or drinking
coffee or alcohol. Make sure you’re getting enough: do the
urine test. If it’s fairly clear and non-offensive to the
nose, chances are you’re drinking as much as you need.
Tip: Still not sure how much you should drink?
Check out
www.bottledwater.org
and try their hydration calculator.
ARE
YOU DEHYDRATED?
So
you’re thirsty. But is that the only way of knowing you’re
lacking in the H2O department? “By the time you start to
feel thirsty, you’ve already lost about 2 percent of your
body water,” says registered dietitian Marilyn Booth. Other
signs of dehydration: you feel tired, lightheaded, have muscle
or joint pain, and are experiencing headaches and infrequent urination.
Tip: Because dehydration
can lead to poor mental and physical performance, and causes stress
on your heart, kidneys, and other organs, Booth suggests drinking
a glass and a half of water with every meal, plus another four
or five eight-ounce glasses throughout the day until you meet
your goal.
TAP
vs. BOTTLED
So long as you’re drinking
enough, does it really matter what source you choose?
You decide.
Tap: It’s definitely the cheapest and most
accessible option, and because it’s monitored to meet safety
standards on many levels, tap water is a healthy bet. If you’re
still concerned about what’s coming out of your faucet,
invest in a home filtering system, which can target any specific
issues, depending on where you live.
Bottled: We all love the convenience of stashing
a bottle for moments of need, but just because this water comes
wrapped in plastic doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better
than eau de tap. While bottled water is regulated and adheres
to filtration guidelines, it doesn’t have the same strict
standards as tap water, and studies have found some varieties
can contain more bacteria.
CAN
YOU O.D?
Yes,
there is such a thing as drinking too much water, and yes, it
can happen to you. The good news? It doesn’t happen easily
and known cases are rare.
When water is dangerous: Hyponatremia (a.k.a.
water intoxication) can take place when you’ve drunk upwards
of three litres at once. So much water causes your blood’s
sodium and mineral levels to dip and your brain to swell, and
may cause a coma or even death.
Signs you’ve drunk too much: you feel weak,
sluggish, and have little control over body movements. If any
of the above apply, call 911 immediately.
OUTSIDE
THE GLASS
Let’s
face it—even with good intentions, it’s not easy to
down two litres of water each day. Thankfully, there are heaps
of other sources to get it from. Here are a few (from the most
to the least amount of water):
1) Milk
2) Sports drinks
3) Coffee and tea (non-caffeinated versions are better)
4) Soup
5) Fruits and veggies
6) Fruit and vegetable juices (look for ones without added sugar)
DID
YOU KNOW?
*
It helps digest, absorb, and move nutrients through our bodies.
* It’s a lubricant for joints, and cushions vital organs
and tissues.
* It helps the body cool itself.
* It helps get rid of waste.
* It boosts kidney function.
* With the help of fibre, it prevents and relieves constipation.
FLAVOUR
OF THE MONTH
A
recent arrival to the category, flavoured water is designed for
anyone who can’t bear the taste (or lack thereof) of water.
But, because it’s sweetened with sugar or sugar substitutes,
this water has what mainstream varieties don’t—calories.
To keep your calorie intake low, pay attention to nutritional
labels, or, do like the health conscious and cut up a slice of
lemon, lime, or orange and squeeze its juice into your plain-Jane
glass of water.
