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Drink to Your Health
Adequate Water Intake for Hydration
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
There are various methods of ensuring the proper amount of water is consumed each day. Whether traveling, working out or enjoying a day with the family, having water readily available will encourage family members to drink the right amount each day. "The best way to get the water you need while traveling is to carry bottled water with you for you and your children," Levine says. "Freeze bottles of water overnight so that you will have cold water all throughout your trip. Also, consider buying bottled water that comes with a sports cap, so no matter the activity you can hydrate yourself. Dehydration is no laughing matter."
If a child becomes resistant to drinking water, parents can use their imagination or creativity to help their child learn the importance of water in their daily life. Using sports bottles with colorful patterns or pictures may get their interest, and placing ice cubes inside so the water makes "noises" may also help keep them interested. In addition, adding colorful ice cubes, which can be created by adding a raspberry, blueberry or blackberry during freezing, will "dress up" the water and add some fun.
Regardless of how parents get kids to drink water, they can set an example by ensuring they consume all they need as well. Drink to your health, and the health of your family.
"I drink six to eight glasses of water each day," says Elissa Sonnenberg, a mom from Cincinnati, Ohio. "I feel better when I drink enough water. My two sons drink water a lot, too. My 5-year-old started drinking more water this summer, and now he is a convert to our water-drinking ways. I think our regular habit of drinking water has helped them stay healthy and hydrated and I know I'm passing along a healthy habit."
