ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Many health goals cannot be reached if your agua intake is poor.
So to motivate you, here are the five tell-tale signs you’re not drinking enough water.
Sure, many of us try our best to boost our water consumption.
Darra Basil of Rochester Hills carries around a water jug with encouraging words on the side marking her progress emptying it.
“As you can see, this is my awesome little water bottle. Has about a gallon of water in there. Keeps me on track,” said Basil.
Others opt for fruit infusions.
“I empathize with people even as a dietitian. I don’t love water. So, I have to get creative,” said registered dietitian and nutritionist Samantha Linden.
She likes to add lemon or orange slices to pitchers of ice water. She also recommends vegetables with high water content, hot water with lemon, caffeine-free teas and broth-based soups as other smart ways to get in your water each day.
But even with all the tricks, we often fall short.
“We’re not as thirsty [during the winter] as we might be during the warmer months. We’re not sweating as much as we might be during the warmer months,” explained Linden.
She then shared the 5 tell-tale signs you’re not drinking enough water.
CHAPPED LIPS & DRY SKIN
Number one, chapped lips and dry skin.
When you start breaking out the Chapstick or reaching for the lotion, you might need to grab a glass of water instead.
FEELING HUNGRY
Number two, feeling hungry.
She says we often mistake thirst for hunger. So, when a snack-attack hits you, throw back some water and see how you feel in 30 minutes.
HEADACHES
Number three, headaches. If you’re not prone to them, that dull pain might be dehydration talking. Take a few swigs from your bottle of water or cup of tea.
FEELING LETHARGIC
Number four, feeling lethargic. Your body’s working harder when it’s dehydrated, so that will sap your energy and leave you feeling more like a couch potato.
FEWER TRIPS TO THE BATHROOM
And number five – which may seem obvious -- fewer trips to the bathroom – meaning both “number 1” and “number 2.”
“Yes, you’re urinating less but also when you’re dehydrated, your kidneys need to work harder, and this results in a darker, yellow color urine.”
If you’re properly hydrated, Linden said you should have a “clear, odorless urine” and no constipation.
So, how much water should you drink a day?
Samantha Linden suggests somewhere between 64-and-72-ounces a day. You can invest in a 32-ounce water bottle.
Drink one by lunchtime. Then re-fill it and drink another one before you go home from work. Any water you drink after that is a bonus!
Good luck!
