Re: 10 Great Ways To Get Your Water!

[Guest guest]

Just a note--although all those things are true as far as the amount of fluid in various foods, unless you are on a fluid restriction of some kind it is recommended that you get at least 8 glasses of WATER a day IN ADDITION to any other fluid. In fact if you drink a soda you are supposed to drink 1 1/2 times the number of ounces in the soda , in water to compensate as soda is dehydrating. (for instance--if you drink a 12 ounce can of coke you then need to drink 18 ounces of water). Juices are not a good way to get your fruit and veggie requirements because they lack bulk--it is better to eat the raw fruit (if you can--I know some with Crohn's can't). In general, the closer to the earth the food the better --in other words raw fruit and veggies are generally healthier than cooked and the fewer additives to your meat (if you eat meat) and veggies, the better.

If you are on a fluid restriction --for instance due to some kidney ailment or CHF--then you need to count the fluid in your foods--if you aren't on a restriction the 8-12 glasses a day of water takes into consideration the fact that you get some water from your foods.

Kathy

10 Great Ways To Get Your Water!

10 Great Ways To Get Your Water!

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You know you should be drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated, but did you know you can get some of those recommended 8 to 12 (8-ounce) glasses per day from foods and beverages? Certain foods have a high water content that can contribute to your daily fluid requirement. To boot, they are low in calories, so they’ll help fill you up on less. Try these alternatives: 1. Jazz up a plain glass of water by adding a spritz of lemon or lime, or a splash of fruit juice. 2. A whopping 90 percent of your morning orange juice or milk counts toward your daily fluid allowance. A glass of milk will also provide 1/3 of your daily calcium requirement -- orange juice offers 100 percent of your daily vitamin C. 3. Foods that melt at room temperature, such as gelatin or ice cream, contain a fair share of water. A 3-ounce cup of JELL-O will provide 1/2 cup of water, while 1 cup of frozen yogurt or a 2-ounce ice pop will give you 1/3 cup of water.

4. A serving of soup provides 3/4 cup of fluid. But, be sure to choose low-salt varieties (look for those with five percent or less sodium per serving). Or, make your own soups using fresh veggies and broth. 5. Believe it or not, 70 percent of that 11-oounce smoothie counts towards your fluid allowance (1 cup). Watch out for ready-made versions, which can be jammed with unwanted calories. Make your own, using fat-free milk and your favorite fruit for a refreshing, nutritious and low-calorie drink. 6. Most fruits and vegetables are 80 percent water, so they can contribute 3 to 4 cups of your fluid intake. Meet both your daily fluid requirement and your fruit and veggie recommendation of five a day. Here are some fruits and vegetables containing high levels of water (over 90 percent water).

Watermelon (1/16th wedge) = 1 1/3 cups water

Strawberry halves (1 cup) = 3/4 cup water

Apple or apricot, or 1 1/2 cups grapes = 1/2 cup water

Squash (1 cup cooked) = 3/4 cup water

Broccoli or cauliflower (1 serving) = 2/3 cup water

Cabbage (1 cup shredded) = 1/2 cup water

Cucumbers, radishes or celery (1 cup sliced) = 1/2 cup water

Carrots (1 cup) = 2/3 cup water

Lettuce, shredded (1 cup) = 1/3 cup water

Green peppers (1 cup sliced) = 1/3 cup water 7. One cup of cooked pasta and rice will provide 2/3 cup of fluid and 1/2 cup of fluid, respectively. If you have additional vegetables then you can double your intake of fluid!

8. A portion of gravy counts as almost 90 percent fluid.

9. Avoid caffeinated beverages (such as tea, coffee and soft drinks) and alcohol -- they can actually rob your body of water. Only 2/3 of a caffeinated drink

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counts toward your daily water intake and just 8 ounces of that 12-ounce diet soda. 10. Steer clear of foods with low-water content, such as dried meat and fruit, chocolate, cookies and cakes. For example, a small amount of raisins (1.5 ounces) has the same calories as 1 1/2 cups grapes, but negligible water content.

Live Well *~* Laugh Often *~* Love Muchgentle hugs Pat AKA Fibronursefibronurse@...petfarm@... The beautiful thing about learning is no one can take it away from you.---B.B.KingFibromyalgia is not something we would ever choose to have, but if we have it, we must reach a point where we accept the condition as part of ourselves. -- Mark J. Pellegrino, M.D., Inside Fibromyalgia, p.213