How to Get Hydrated Fast the Healthy Way

Staying hydrated is extremely important for your overall health. Learn how to get hydrated fast the healthy way with these easy expert tips.

It’s so vital to hydrate your body well for optimal health. When you drink enough water, you can prevent dehydration, which is a health condition with multiple side effects, such as confusion, mood changes, overheating, constipation, and kidney stones. When you drink enough water, you help keep your body at a normal temperature, lubricate your joints, protect your spinal cord, and get rid of body wastes through perspiration, urination, and bowel movements. You also need to increase your water intake if you are in a hot climate, increasing your activity, or have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

So, there’s no doubt about it, hydration is a good thing! However, there are so many beverages beyond water today, making it challenging to figure out how to hydrate your body well. You can find water with electrolytes, drinks with electrolytes, electrolyte supplements, and hydration drinks in supermarkets. So, what’s the best way to hydrate?

For the most part, good old-fashioned tap water (use an in-home filter for best results) should be your hydration beverage of choice. Unless you are an athlete or working in hot conditions, you don’t need to worry about electrolyte replacement through beverages or supplements. Water has zero calories, which is a good thing for most of us. Prepared sugary beverages have been linked with multiple cardio-metabolic health problems, so it’s best to avoid those drinks as much as possible. Ditch the single use water bottles to reduce your impact on the planet (check out 6 Ways to Conserve Water here), and instead favor your own reusable water bottle to tote water as you are on the go. Learn more about The Scoop on Types of Water here. You can also get water in the foods you consume (especially fruits and vegetables), as well as other beverages, including tea, coffee, and juice. Focus on these beverages that don’t contain added sugars as your best nutrition bets for hydration.

Check out these 5 tips on how to hydrate the healthy way.

1. Infuse Your Water

Bored with every day tap water? Try infusing your water naturally with fruit slices (peaches, apples, plums), berries, citrus wedges (grapefruit, oranges, lemons, limes), veggies (cucumbers, celery, tomatoes), and herbs (basil, lavender, rosemary, mint) for a tasty and healthy drink. You don’t need a fancy infusion water bottle either. Simply fill your water bottle or glass with water, ice, and your extra ingredients and you’re set! Try making a large pitcher of infused water in the fridge to enjoy all day long. You can use filtered tap water or fizzy water (make your own with a Soda Stream to cut down on impact) for your infused beverages.

2. Keep a Water Bottle In Reach

As a rule of thumb, always have a filled, reusable water bottle by your side. It’s your best sidekick, especially when the weather turns warmer. If water is in reach, you will be more likely to drink it throughout the day. And skip the single use plastic bottled waters, which make a serious negative impact on the environment.

3. Think 8-8!

Try to aim for eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. If you are exercising, sweating, or in warmer temperatures, drink even more water. The better hydrated you are, the more you will enjoy your outdoor activities.

4. Cheers Before Each Meal

Drink a glass of water (or iced tea or infused water) before each meal. Not only will this help prevent overeating, but it will also help you achieve your water intake each day.

5. Think Beyond Drinks

It is also important to consider the hydrating power of the foods we eat throughout the day. Eat foods with a high water content, such as watermelon, grapes, and cucumbers, at each meal for better hydration.

For more tips on hydration, check out:

Check out some of these delicious, refreshing beverage recipes to hydrate you the healthy way!

Iced Green Tea with Lemon and Cucumbers
Celery Rosemary Health Tonic
Strawberry Agua Fresca