Water: How to Meet Your Intake

The average adult female requires 60-80 ounces a day of water, males up to 120, plus 10-30 ounces for exercise. Water is the medium through which all our body's reactions occur; use the following tips to improve your water intake.

1. Drink a sip between every bite of food during meals. You will consume fewer calories and feel full sooner. Remember: our total water intake includes the water in your foods, such as soups and water dense fruits.

2. Visit the restroom? Every stop is a great reminder to refill and drink a glass of water on the way out!

3. Play with the temperature. There is some science behind having the water close to your body temperature, but whether it’s warm or cold, drink the reasonable temperature you are craving.

4. Purchase reusable water bottles. Look for hard chemical-free and dishwasher-safe bottles. Nalgene in 16 and 32-ounce sizes are my favorite. They are fun to shop for now that you can find every color and shine your heart could desire; match them to your shoes or purses or give them to your friends as gifts.

5. Place water cups all over your house. It seems silly but those glasses are like giant Post-Its shouting "DRINK ME!" Just keep them fresh.

Concerned about your water quality? Purchase an inexpensive home tap water test before choosing a home filter. Tap water test kits are about $10 for a single test to $20 for most contaminants.

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