7 Nutritionist Approved Ways To Stay Hydrated

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. All opinions are mine alone. #PureLife35pk #CollectiveBias 

As a nutrition practitioner, a common mistake I see in my clients who want to lose weight or make a healthy change is not getting proper hydration. They think they're drinking enough water, but once I ask them to track how their water intake they discover they're drinking less than they think they are. Today I'm partnering with Nestlé® Pure Life® to give you 7 Nutritionist Approved Ways To Stay Hydrated and their new product, but before we go there let's chat about the importance of hydration.

Why Is Hydration Important?

Water promotes cardiovascular health because dehydration reduces blood volume, which makes your heart have to pump harder to deliver oxygen to cells. A reason hydration during exercise is so important! Slight dehydration during exercise can decrease performance which directly affects how may calories you burn.

Water helps muscles work better because when you're well hydrated because water inside and outside of cells can provide adequate nutrients and remove waste more efficiently. Water also lubricates joints, keeps skin supple, and cleanses toxins from the body. The kidneys need water to filter waste from the blood to excrete urine.

How To Know If You're Dehydrated?

The number one sign of dehydration is hunger. Our bodies often confuse hunger with thirst. By increasing your water intake, you can regulate your hunger cues better. Overtime, you'll be able to control your hunger better just by drinking water.

How Much Do You Need?

There's no scientific evidence to the exact amount of water every person needs. It varies based on geographic location, activity level, health status, age, gender, etc. I generally recommend my clients drink half their body weight in water, and replace water lost from caffeine and exercise.

How Do You Stay Hydrated?

With warm weather approaching, it's even more important to keep well hydrated regardless of your health goals.

Here's 7 Nutritionist Approved Ways To Stay Hydrated

Hydrate when you wake up

Drink 2 - 8 ounce bottles of water when you wake up every morning. Our bodies are dehydrated first thing in the morning and need proper hydration

Eat water rich foods

Most foods contain some amount of water in them. Increasing produce in your diet is a clever way to increase your hydration. Cucumber, watermelon, melon, celery, zucchini, berries are some of my favorite whole foods high in water.

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Add spicy foods to your diet

Adding spices to foods is not only a great way to add flavor without adding calories, but is also a way to increase thirst. Spicy foods naturally water cravings so you'll reach for a bottle of water to satisfy your thirst.

Drink through a straw

Some people enjoy water drinking it through a straw so if you don't love sipping it out of the bottle, then have some fun with it by drinking it through a straw.

Flavor your water

Herbal teas, berries, cucumber, lemons, limes, oranges, herbs {like mint} are great ways to naturally flavor water and keep them free of preservatives. Adding flavor to your water increases the likelihood that you'll want to drink it. Don't be scared to branch out and try other forms of water like, spring, mineral and sparkling water too!

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Set an alarm

Set a timer on your phone as a mental trigger to drink water. Some water bottles are bluetooth enabled and will track your water intake for you.

Establish a morning routine

Set out the number of water bottles you need to drink every morning on the counter, or in a place where you'll see them all day. I have my Mom do this when she's visiting Arizona because it's hot and dry. It's a good visual motivator throughout the day of how much water you need to drink.

A common concern I hear from my nutrition clients is that drinking too much water causes them to head to the bathroom more, or get up during the night. While this is true, this is short lived. Your bladder does adjust over time so have patience and realize it's short lived. The good news is you're getting more steps in by going to the bathroom more!

If you want to up your hydration, you're in luck because Nestlé® Pure Life® just came out with a 35-pack of bottled water at Walmart for the price of the 32-pack. As shoppers, you're getting a great value by getting 3 more bottles for the same price as the old 32-pack!

Find Nestle products at Walmart online for the 24-pack of water, or find the 35-pack head at your local Walmart! If the 35-pack of Nestle Pure Life isn't available, please ask a store manager about getting the product in your area.

Pure Life is re-launching in mid-May and will have new packaging. Watch for a refreshed packaging from Nestle this upcoming May at a store near you

Visit nestlepurelife.com to sign up for promotions, offers and more!

About Megan

Megan is a certified nutrition practitioner, author, freelance food photographer and fitness instructor living in Phoenix, Arizona. On her blog, Skinny Fitalicious she shares EASY, gluten free recipes for weight loss. Follow Megan on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates.