How to stay hydrated, the fun way

Let’s face it, we all know we’re supposed to drink eight cups of water each day. But do we actually drink eight cups of water each day? According to an article in Medical Daily, 75 percent of Americans may suffer from chronic dehydration because they consume well below the recommended daily amount of water. I know I fall short of the recommended daily minimum every day, that’s why I wanted to some of my favorite clever ways to stay hydrated, in addition to drinking water.

Drink tea.

A study from the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that, not only is tea just as hydrating as water, it comes with added benefits. Tea contains antioxidants, specifically flavonoids.Flavanoids reduce the damage done to cells each day through living. Researchers in this study claim that drinking three to four cups of tea each day can cut your chances of having a heart attack and can protect your body from cancer.In addition to green tea, here are some of my favorite herbal teas, all from Mountain Rose Herbs: Chamomile, Raspberry Leaf, Echinacea & Roots and Hibiscus.

Make smoothies.

Smoothies are a great way to fill a drink with liquids, fruits and vegetables for a nutrition-packed drink. Load your smoothie with ice cubes or coconut water to give it a little extra liquids and stick to hydrating fruits and veggies. Strawberries, watermelon, grape fruit, blueberries and apples are just a few. Fruits are most efficiently absorbed and used by the body when consumed on an empty stomach and in combination with greens, so I drink mine for breakfast.My favorite smoothies include banana, strawberries, blueberries, chia seeds, kale and almond milk.

Soak Chia seeds.

Chia seeds can absorb 12 times their weight in water, extending hydration time. Chia seeds contain protein, fiber, antioxidants, iron and calcium, and are considered a superfood. My favorite way to consume chia seeds is to add them to my morning smoothies but here is a list of many ways you can use chia seeds in your everyday life, by one of my all-time favorite bloggers.You can also mix chia seeds with coconut water, nature’s Gatorade, as a hangover prevention drink before you go out.

Eat your greens.

Green veggies such as spinach, kale, cucumber and broccoli all contain high amounts of water. They’re also rich in folic acid, dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium and magnesium, and other powerful antioxidants. Consumption of leafy greens has proven to have cancer preventive effects and are a huge factor in having clear, healthy skin.I like to add kale to my smoothies in the morning and occasionally I treat myself to The Cheesecake Factory’s Super Antioxidant Salad, my favorite dinner order of all time.There you have it, some fun ways to mix it up and stay hydrated in every season! 

Featured photo courtesy of Meme Center