FOOD+NUTRITION
By Jacqueline Daughtry, Clinical Nutrition Manager at Regional One Health
DRINK UP!
How To Stay Hydrated For Overall Health Many factors play a role in good health, and one of the most important is also one of the most overlooked: PROPER HYDRATION. During the Mid-South’s hot, humid summers, it is especially crucial to stay hydrated, but it can be hard to take in enough fluids. Despite water being critical to sustaining life and an important part of overall health, many people still don’t drink enough of it.
HOW MUCH WATER SHOULD I DRINK? Figure out your body weight in pounds. Divide that in half, and that’s the low end for how many ounces of fluid you need each day. Your total weight is the high end for ounces of fluid. If you weigh 150 pounds you should consume between 75 and 150 ounces of fluid daily.
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WHEN TO DRINK MORE Your fluid needs increase under certain circumstances. Anyone who eats a lot of protein and/or fiber should increase fluids, as should those with chronic illnesses or taking certain medications. The very young and the elderly or older adults are also at greater risk for dehydration. People with conditions like heart or kidney disease should follow their provider’s guidance for fluid intake/hydration. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, you need more fluids to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Sweating a lot puts you at higher risk of dehydration. Increase your fluid intake when it’s hotter and/or when you’re more active.
Jacqueline Daughtry is the Clinical Nutrition Manager at Regional One Health. For more information, go to Regionalonehealth.org.
