Nutrition News- Hydration!

Now that summer is really starting to heat up, it’s important to make sure we stay well hydrated.

We’ve all heard that we should be drinking 8 glasses of water every day, but is it true?

While for some people, drinking 8 glasses of water daily is easy, for others it seems unachievable.

The truth is, everybody’s hydration requirements are different, and hydration doesn’t just come from drinking water. Other liquids, such as milk, juice, tea and coffee (not quite as hydrating due to the caffeine content) all contribute to your water intake. Even foods like jelly, custard and watermelon that have high water content will contribute to your water intake.

So how do you tell if you’re adequately hydrated? The best way to tell is by checking the colour of your urine. If it’s dark yellow, or you are urinating less than usual, that’s a pretty good sign you need to up your water intake!

Here are some common signs you’re dehydrated:

  • Dry mouth
  • Sleepiness or fatigue
  • Extreme thirst
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded

There’s lots of ways to make sure you’re getting enough fluid in over the day:

  • Carry a drink bottle with you
  • If you don’t like plain water- try adding fruits or herbs to infuse flavour to the water
  • Snack on foods with high water content- watermelon, icy poles and yoghurt

Rachael Thompson
Yakult Dietitian APD