Hydration In Winter: What To Drink

This post is sponsored by Red Diamond Coffee & Tea.

In the warm months of the year I have no problem guzzling all kinds of liquids down. Not only am I thirstier, but when it’s 90 degrees it actually feels good to drink something cold!

But, during this time of year I reallllly struggle with hydration. On the one hand I often feel dehydrated, but on the other hand it is painfully hard to get myself to drink anything other than hot coffee and tea when it’s cold outside. Those do count towards your hydration needs, but one can only drink so many hot beverages in a day.

The ultimate choice for hydration is plain old water. There is no denying it, and it is the best choice. Hydration needs vary by person, so the “8 cups per day” rule really depends on your climate, activity level, and more. Your overall hydration needs include all beverages (even coffee and tea) and water extracted from food, like cucumber and watermelon. I think at least some of your daily intake should be plain water, but plain water is so b o r i n g! It only tastes good to me in the middle of a soccer game. So, after you have downed a glass or two, what are other beverage options that have more flavor and can contribute to your liquid needs? (Sadly, wine is not on the list.)

Here are ideas from lightest to fullest and what to look for on a nutrition label:

Flavored water.

You can add fresh fruit to your plain water to DIY (which is the ultimate simple ingredient list) or look for flavored waters on the market that are made with only water and natural flavors or a splash of real fruit. Avoid added sugars and artificial sweeteners.

Seltzers and sparkling water.

I love bubbles, so even plain seltzers are a big step up from still water, but my favorites have a hint of lemon or lime flavors. These should have no sugar or calories, so be sure to check the ingredient list.

100% pure fruit waters and coconut water. (Or water with a splash of 100% real juice.)

While still keeping it real, there are some lower sugar and calorie options on the market that are made from fruit juice or coconut water and are still 100% natural with no added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Don’t be fooled by sugar alcohols – I steer away from them in large drinkable doses too. (Although they don’t bother me in a stick of gum.)

Iced tea.

Most flavorful to the palate on the list is tea! I love hot tea, but iced tea is another great way to sip it down, especially with a few citrus slices or herbs like mint leaves. You can make it yourself at home with the Red Diamond Family Size Carton Tea or buy it ready-to-drink in a gallon. Again, make sure the ingredient list is just tea.

Red Diamond Tea inspired the content for this post because they’ve been helping me with hydration all week. Since having a gallon of their fresh-brewed unsweet tea in my fridge, I have kept myself well hydrated. Even better – I added a few slices of orange to add a touch of natural sweetness.

Their ready-to-drink teas are always refrigerated because the tea is fresh – there are no powders, concentrates, or preservatives. The Orange Pekoe receives the highest grade of tea leaves, as young buds only picked by hand. You can taste the difference – it tastes home-brewed – but the biggest difference I noticed is that their tea is not bitter at all. It’s full bodied, tastes pure, and has a warm reddish-brown hue that distinguishes it from other commercial teas on the market.

What are you sipping to stay hydrated today?

Thanks to Red Diamond Coffee & Tea for sponsoring this post!

The post Hydration In Winter: What To Drink appeared first on Kath Eats Real Food.



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