It’s feeling more and more like spring with each day! So exciting! We were able to get our chicken coop cleaned out and some other spring things. Such a good feeling! What have you been doing to enjoy the nicer weather?
Let’s talk about something a little different in today’s article. With the warmer temperatures comes the increased need for water in your diet. So I thought lets talk about water and hydration…actually maybe you should go grab some right now to sip as you read this. 🙂 A rule of thumb is half your body weight in ounces per day. This is a good average, but the amount of water you need can vary from this based on weight, activity level, health status and the environment, etc. Also when looking at recommendations remember that must include all fluids you consume…so if you drink milk, eat watermelon, and have a salad that all goes to benefit your hydration. In turn you might not need as much water that day. An easy way to check if you are hydrated is to watch the color of your urine. If it is pale yellow or clear it is a sign that you are hydrated. If it is darker yellow, you should probably drink more water.
Sometimes it’s hard to drink the needed amount of water especially if you have a busy lifestyle, but it gets easier if you make it a habit and priority. Let’s look at a couple ways to make it easier:
- Find a water bottle you love and take it with you everywhere. Make sure to take a sip/drink when you have a moment throughout your day. These sips will add up!
- If you drink pop every day try to lessen that and increase your water intake in its place. This is a win, win because pop has very little to offer nutritionally.
- Plan water into your day. For example: a bottle in the morning, a bottle in the afternoon and a bottle in the evening.
- Know the benefits. If you know why staying hydrated is important it is easier to make it more of a priority. Think of other things that you do…if you know why you do them it makes it that much easier to be successful at that thing.
We talked about ways to increase your water intake now let’s look at some of the benefits of being hydrated:
- Aids in digestion
- Helps keep joints lubricated.
- Can help sleep quality, cognition and mood.
A hydration challenge: Start small and add 8 oz. of water to your diet until you reach your goal. For example, say you drink 30 oz a day and your goal is 80 oz. Add 8 oz a week until you reach your goal. It is always best to start with small goals that work towards a bigger end goal. You are more likely to succeed!
For more nutrition topics visit thefarmchicken.com. Thank you for reading! Have a great week!
Mariah Nienhuis, NDTR
*This article is intended for the general healthy population. It is not personalized nutrition advice and if you are in need of this, please visit your doctor/healthcare professional for specific advice.
