Did you know the human body can go more than 30 days without eating anything? This is how important it is for anyone to stay hydrated, especially someone who is prediabetic or diabetic. On the other hand, if you do not drink any water for just 3 days, a life-threatening situation could develop.
Drink filtered water throughout the day. It doesn’t matter if it’s bottled or you run it thru a filtration system. While the exact amount required may vary from person to person, the average water consumption for humans is about a gallon a day. This includes water in the beverages you drink and the water contained in foods that you eat. Buy a BPA-free reusable water bottle and keep it with you so you can stay hydrated all day long. Want to keep track an easy way? For a 16 oz water bottle, aim to fill the bottle (and drink it) 4 times each day. Add rubber bands around the bottle and move them up one at a time with each refill.
What, don’t you like the taste of water? What you’re really tasting, if you are on the, I hate the taste of water team is the minerals in the water. Either try a different bottled water brand (check to see where the water is actually bottled from and make sure it’s different) or try changing filtration systems to one that filters more minerals out.
Now let’s talk about how staying hydrated is essential for people with diabetes. First, when you’re dehydrated, besides the usual systems – you’re tired, sluggish, etc. – you also have “thicker” blood. Granted, we’re talking minuscule numbers, but it’s enough to make a difference. By staying hydrated, you help keep your blood at its proper density and more able to distribute and cope with the sugar in it.
So now that we know why we should be drinking more, maybe we’re still not a fan of water. Spruce it up! Add lemon. Squeeze lime into it. Or add an orange wedge. Melon pieces make a decorated glass and add an intriguing hint of flavor. If you’re a lover of fruit juices, which are full of added sugars, consider diluting your juice 50/50 with water and, over time, increasing the amount of water. Eventually, a quick splash of juice in your glass of water will be all you need to enjoy the flavor.
Even coffee counts towards your water intake. Just hold the cream and sugar. Like tea? There are so many flavors of tea. Whether hot or cold, all count. Check out some of the herbal teas. Water also naturally occurs within a fruit, although the quantity of water is tough to measure. Fresh fruits are abundant in water, and even some vegetables are good sources.
Remember, water, herbal teas, black tea, and coffee without sugar and cream are all recommended beverages for preventing and treating diabetes.