To Sara of Fit by Sara: “How much water is “enough?” What also counts as my water intake (diet soda, diet caffeine-free soda, crystal light, iced tea, coffee, etc)? I need a break from water sometimes and would like to know what my other options are…..”
From Sara of Fit by Sara: “Everybody’s body is different, and how much is right for me, is different than what is right for you. For example, since I’m considered an athlete, it’s essential that I keep my body fully hydrated as I work out, and therefore, I consume a lot more fluids than the average person. However, it is important that everyone stays hydrated, and you know you’ve gone too long once you feel thirsty! At that point your body is depleted. The average recommendation is 8-10 glasses of water per day. Remember, 90% of our body is water, and it needs to be replaced! You asked about other beverage alternatives…first let me say that water is the best for hydrating your body! Coffee, especially caffinated (or any caffinated beverage, i.e. soda, tea), is a diuretic, and will deplete your body further. Caffeine-free beverages, like Crystal-lite, or diet sodas have aspartane or splenda or other sweetners that may cause cancer. Besides that, it’s not proven that they actually hydrate the body. For long endurance events, it may be helpful to drink a sports drink like Gatorade to replace electrolytes, but for daily use, it’s not needed, and will be empty calories. On that note, get used to water…it does your body best!” –Sara Holliday
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