I’ve always been a big fan of water. It’s calorie free, refreshing, sweet at times, and it does the job of quenching my thirst fantastically better than soda pop or juice (in my opinion). I’ve noticed that with chocolate milk for example, I could drink a litre of it and not feel like my thirst has been satisfied…
I did a bit of reading, and we are made up of 55% to 75% of water and our entire body system needs water in every part, for example:
Blood is 83% water
Muscles are 75% water
The brain is 74% water
Bone is 22% water
And on top of that, the leaner you are, with more muscle, the more water you have in your body because muscle holds more water than fat.. And every time you breathe, you lose water. But you’d have to lose 10% of your body weight in fluids to be dehydrated (where you’re huffing and really ready to collapse), but all it takes is 2% to make you feel dizzy.
Plus, water helps lessen the chance of kidney stones, helps keeps joints lubricated, helps with the severity of colds and the flu, and helps prevent constipation.
Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:
Excessive thirst
Fatigue
Headache
Dry mouth
Little or no urination
Muscle weakness
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Which are all symptoms I sometimes get on a regular basis. But my problem with water, is that it’s tasteless. Good, yes at times, but when you’re at your desk, craving a fat chocolate bar, or a smoothie, tasteless water ain’t gonna cut it.
Which is why I loved Vitamin Water by Glaceau! I got one of every flavour, and this stuff is not only healthy, but tasty.
I didn’t event notice I was drinking water, it was so tasty, and I did feel a lot more refreshed during the day only because the water helped keep light dehydration at bay.
Naturally, to be frugal – just drink cold tap water!!!
But if you’re like me and you just can only drink SO MUCH of tap water, Vitamin Water is a good alternative to those sugary, heavy fruit juices.
And Vitamin Water it also helps replace that extra cup of heavy coffee or large cup of juice with sugar you MAY have had in your system, while satisfying your need for something other than ‘plain’ water. I can only talk about Vitamin water because it’s the only one I’ve tried.
Suggestions?
- Tricking yourself into drinking water
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Anonymous
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 5:16 AM:
I totally agree with you on this, but I can’t stand to have so many calories in liquid form. This stuff has 50 calories and 13 grams of sugar per SERVING. And there’s more than one serving per bottle. No thanks.
Maybe try crystal light instead if you need some flavor in your water. Low to no calories.
K.Rae
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 6:20 AM:
I drink decaf tea like it’s my job. And if you MUST visit a coffee shop, tea is much less expensive than coffee (and usually better for you).
marisol
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 7:13 AM:
Thanks for this post FB. I always knew water was good but it is great to see why its good for you.
I <3 Vitamin Water although it is a bit pricey.
Have you tried using the Crystal Light packets?
Sophia
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 8:07 AM:
http://lifehacker.com/5047567/why-tea-is-healthier-than-water
just read this, lol.
K.Rae>
Yes it is, but the tea bag usually costs much less in a supermarket! and they are usually easily available, unlike a latte.
dilemma! save money, or "value for money" (in the sense, it's probably harder for me to make)
OnlyOnSale
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 9:21 AM:
i just plain LOVE water!!!
Foxie
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 9:52 AM:
I like Vitamin Water… It’s a little bit more than just water, but a lot better than soda! That and the labels on the bottles are rather entertaining.
I also like SoBe’s Life Water, or whatever their stuff is called… Again, more than just water, but a better alternative to other choices.
But most of the time I cop out, act cheap and buy the twelve pack of Sprite anyhow.
Ginger
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 9:54 AM:
Anonymous is right, FB. Those drinks are nothing but sugar, and the health benefits (other than hydration) are negligible. There aren’t enough vitamins and minerals in there to really make a difference, you’d be much better served saving your $3/bottle (for WATER! Ridiculous!) and getting some multi-vitamins and some 0-calorie Crystal Light type flavouring.
Or, add some real fruit to your water, like lemon or other citrus, cucumber, strawberries, apples, etc.
Or make yourself some real iced tea, green or rooibos would be your best bets.
I like the taste of Vitamin Water too, but it’s just a crock of marketing BS. And trust me, I know marketing BS when I see it.
dj_lissamonét
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 10:29 AM:
i love me some vitamin water, but the aquafina + flavored water is just as good.
Angela
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 12:29 PM:
Vitamin Water is deceiving, because there are 2.5 servings per (small) bottle. The sugar content and calorie counts on that stuff are way higher than you think.
I’ve been drinking almost exclusively water for the last month since I moved to Florida, and I think it’s helping me stay hydrated in this heat.
Froeydis Gording
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 1:49 PM:
I don’t drink vitamin water because of the sugar content in it, however, i have started buying suger free powers that you add to your water for flavor. They come in single serving packs (so you can have them in your purse wherever you go) and mostly are calorie/sugar free and taste amazing. I forget what they are called but they come in a million of flavors and brands (I think Lipton makes some). So I’d recommend trying that out!
QuiteLight
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 2:00 PM:
I couldn't drink plain tap or bottled water for a long time; just didn't like the taste. But the Mr. clued me in to putting a squirt of lemon juice into my bottle, & it made all the difference. I love the taste now, & even carry one of those little lemon juice bulbs if I think I might (horrors) have to refill away from home.
Maybe 1 calorie, & I drink my water! Now if I coudl just wean myself off Coke…
Corelle
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 2:22 PM:
I like water now than I did when I was young. I make it a priority to get at least 8 glasses everyday b/c I was getting constant headaches from not getting enough. I only drink soda pop on special occasions,through a straw because it’s filled with acid that can ruin the enamel of your teeth over time.
Zazzu
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 5:16 PM:
I drink tons of tap water but cannot STAND that vitamin water. They gave me and hubby a free bottle at the market once and we each took a sip and pitched it. Tasted like swill to us.
When I splurge, I drink that horrific-looking green juice at the natural food store. It looks like something out of The Exorcist, but I love it. Everyone else I know HATES it and thinks I’m a complete nutjob for enjoying it.
Different strokes, huh?
cmansuli
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 6:46 PM:
Adding fresh celery, lime, lemon, and orange are almost calorie free and refreshing ways to zest up water.
Michelle
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 7:39 PM:
I heart Vitamin Water too. It’s a nice substitute for soda, but it still has sugar in it (at least it’s not that high fructose corn syrup, but still…) My fave is XXX, so far.
kokostiletto
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 7:43 PM:
omg does vitamin water really have that much colour variety? that is awesome! i was always scared that those “flaoured” water took away from the real benefits of water, but i guess not!
Allison M.
on Sep 22nd, 2008
@ 11:09 PM:
Stop drinking that now. Not good at all with all that sugar. Sugar = fat. If you need flavor, squeeze a lemon or lime wedge in your water.
absolut_feli
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 12:37 AM:
I drink at least 3 liters of water a day. I have a bottle on my desk at work to stop me from going to the water cooler every 5 minutes to get water.
Don’t forget water is good for your skin too. It helps it stay plump and glowing. :*)
paradigmshifted
on Sep 23rd, 2008
@ 6:10 PM:
i like vitamin water too, but the sugar content is high. i believe it got the tag of worst sports/health drink from men’s health…