Saturday, June 17, 2006

Hydration

Drinking water certainly has its beneftis, but its not the only way to stay hydrated. Learn what you really need, and the truth behind some other hydration myths.

MYTH: You need to drink 8 glasses of water a day to replace lost fluids.
FACT: While we do loose fluids throughout the day much of that is replaced by the water in what we normally eat and drink.

MYTH: For every caffinated beverage you drink, you need to offset it with a glass of water.
FACT: Caffeinated beverages can also count towards your daily fluid intake, since the diuretic effect of caffeine is temporary and doesn't lead to dehydration. But remember to include other hydrating beverages too.

MYTH: Thirst is a good indicator of your hydration needs.
FACT: This is generally true, but when it is hot and you're active, thirst may not keep up with hydration needs, especially for children. Offer water or other choices including low calorie alternatives like sugar free kool-aid (my favorite) or Fruit O2.

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