Photo by Tom Sharrow/SoNourished.com

Most of us could benefit from getting a little more hydration into our diet! A number of studies have found evidence that supports the idea that drinking more water can increase metabolism. This means that staying hydrated may play a role in helping you lose more weight in a shorter amount of time when combined with diet and exercise.1

Although a common recommendation is that adults should be drinking about 8 glasses of water a day, the harsh truth is that most people in the US simply aren't getting their hydration in for one simple reason: it's bland. This leads many people to choose sugary sodas or coffee drinks over water, which can add massive amounts of calories and carbs to their diet.

Sick of drinking plain old water? Read on to learn about ways to incorporate more tasty hydration into your diet!

Check your added sugar

Some dieters think that they are being sneaky by replacing water with soda or juices. Unfortunately, these beverages offset the benefits of drinking water by adding calories, added sugar, caffeine, or all three in the case of most sodas. Caffeine is actually a dehydrator, and can cause you to be left feeling even more thirsty after you've had a drink. In addition, research has also supported the idea that drinking diet soda can actually cause weight gain thanks to the impact of artificial sweeteners.2

While fruit juice can safely be incorporated into most diets in low and controlled amounts, be careful to shop for 100% juices and not juice “blends” or “cocktails,” which usually add a large amount of sugar (and thus, calories) to add to the flavor of the beverage. It's also important to remember that juices, even if they contain no added sugar, are not a healthy substitute for water.

Try infusing your water

There's a nearly endless number of options when it comes to infusing your water with herbs, vegetables, and fruits. Sometimes referred to as “spa water” because it is frequently featured at high-profile salons and spa offices, infused water offers a subtle sweetness without the calories of juices and sodas and can be helpful for those who are looking to cut back on their favorite sweetened drinks.

To make infused water, all you'll need is a few of your favorite fruits (excluding bananas), a large container or 2-quart mason jar, and filtered water. Fill the container with water, add sliced fruits, and muddle them using a spoon or a fruit muddler. You can then drink the water straight away, or allow it to infuse overnight for more intense flavor.

You can use nearly any combination of fruits and herbs for your water, so don't be afraid to get creative. My favorite recipe? Lime, strawberries, cucumber, and mint makes a cool and refreshing combination that you just can't beat on a hot summer day!

Use flavor on the go

If you need fast flavor, try throwing a bottle of low-calorie flavoring in your backpack, purse, or briefcase. Water flavoring is sold in every grocery store in the coffee and tea aisle, and come in a wide variety of tastes and flavors. Keeping water flavoring on you can help encourage you to take in more water throughout the day, so don't be afraid to pick up a few bottles– they're usually under $3 each, so you can pick up a whole collection if you want!

Drinking more water can be difficult, especially if you've been drinking sweetened beverages your whole life. Taking baby steps to incorporate more low-calorie flavoring into your water can help you cut back on unhealthy beverages and even lose more weight!

NUTRITIONAL DISCLAIMER

The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.

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