Southern Ag Center

We drink milk, juice, soft drinks, coffee and tea; but sometimes we forget to drink the most important drink - water! During these really hot summer days, we can easily become dehydrated. Being dehydrated can deplete your energy and make you feel tired. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness and other symptoms. Try these easy tips to drink more water.

Tips for drinking more water:

Drink a glass of water in the morning before you leave the house.
Carry along a bottle of water.
Have water breaks at work instead of coffee breaks.
Stop and take a drink when you walk by a water fountain.
Order water instead of soft drinks at restaurants.
Drink water before, during and after exercise.
Because water is also found in food, fresh fruits and vegetables are the best sources of water. Fruits like strawberries, bananas, and watermelon and vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, and carrots are high in water.

You can usually reverse mild to moderate dehydration by increasing your intake of fluids, but severe dehydration may require immediate medical treatment. The safest approach is prevention. Monitor your fluid loss during hot weather, illness or exercise, and drink enough liquids to replace what you lose.

Unfortunately, thirst isn't always a reliable gauge of the body's need for water. A better measurement is the color of your urine: Clear or light-colored urine means you're well hydrated, whereas a dark yellow color usually signals dehydration.

Take the advice of the Mayo Clinic to prevent dehydration, "drink plenty of fluids and foods high in water. According to the Institute of Medicine, letting thirst be your guide is an adequate daily guideline for most healthy people."

For more nutrition tips like these, contact De'Shoin York Friendship, assistant specialist - nutrition, Southern University Ag Center, at (225) 771-2242 ext. 318 or email to deshoin_york@suagcenter.com

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