Healthy Weight Week Tip for today: Stay Hydrated

Here is the Healthy Weight Week Tip for today. Stay Hydrated: Choose Water and High-Water Content Fruits and Vegetables.  

In addition to helping to reach and maintain a healthy weight, the health benefits of water are numerous. You need it for every single body function. Water helps the heart pump blood, promotes digestion, improves cognition, flushes toxins from your organs, carries nutrients to your cells,  prevents fatigue, and improves joint health. About 60% of your body weight is made of water. Drinking water is also a great way to stay hydrated and cool during workouts. 

How much water should you drink? It’s a good question. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, your individual water needs depend on many factors, including your health, age, body size, climate, activity level and lifestyle. Highly active people lose more water due to perspiration and weather conditions. Less active people who are healthy may not need to drink as much.  No single formula fits everyone. You should talk to your doctor about an appropriate fluid intake for you.

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to have a drink of water. Signs of thirst could mean you’re already dehydrated. The easiest way to check for dehydration is to pay attention to the color of your urine: pale and clear means you’re well hydrated; if it’s dark, you need more.

Taste Boosters

If you happen to fall into the group of people who do not love the taste of water, making infused water might be just the ticket to make water more appealing. By infusing tasty flavors, many people tend to drink more water. For example, you can blend water with lemon or lime juice to give it a natural citrus boost. 

High-Water Content Fruits and Vegetables.  

While drinking water is essential, you can consume a significant amount of water by including a variety of water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet. You don’t need to rely only on water to meet your fluid needs. What you eat also provides a significant portion. Many fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, grapefruit, tomatoes, cucumbers, and spinach, have a high-water content. Want more options? Look at this article for other yummy high-water content fruits and vegetables.

*As you are on your wellness Journey, please consult your medical provider, who knows your health history. This information is not meant to be prescriptive.

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, HR-Chief Wellness Officer, DHTett@nvcc.edu