Did you go for a run today? Did you sweat through your shirt while mowing the lawn? Did you sit in a sauna for ten minutes because you’re “detoxing”? Drink more. You’ve got to replace what you lost.
What’s the weather like outside? Is it the surface of the sun? Or a damp, chilly cave? Hot and humid means your body is a leaky faucet. Cold and dry means you’re losing water just by breathing. Your poor lungs are working overtime.
And don’t even get me started on coffee and tea. I know, I know, “but it’s a diuretic!” Well, recent science says that’s a bit overblown. Caffeinated drinks still count toward your daily fluid intake. So that morning latte? That’s a win. But maybe don’t count the entire pot as “hydration.” Use some discretion, you caffeine goblin.
The Sneaky Water Foods
Here’s a juicy secret: food counts. That watermelon you’re eating? That’s basically water with a hint of sugar and a summer aesthetic. Cucumbers, lettuce, even a slice of pizza (okay, especially pizza) contain water.
You’re probably getting 20 to 30 percent of your daily fluid needs just from eating. So if you’re munching on a big salad, you can toast your water bottle a little less frantically. You’re welcome.
B Fit B Hydrated - The Braden Aboud Memorial Foundation
But what about thirst? The ancient, biological built-in alarm system? It’s actually a pretty good guide. But by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated. It’s like your car’s “check engine” light coming on after the engine has already exploded. Dramatic? Maybe. It’s also kind of true.
