Hydration- Summer is Here

Now that summer is in full swing you need to be sure that you are staying well hydrated. Women need to consume at least 91 ounces of fluids per day and men need at least 108 ounces each day to keep the body hydrated but with the increased heat and humidity the amount needed goes up. 
One way to determine how much fluid you need is to first make sure that you are getting the minimum and then look at your activity, how often you are outside and how much time you spend in air-conditioning. If your answers indicate all yes's to the above then you will want to increase your fluids to ensure that you get the amount you need.
One area of frequent discussion is what fluids count towards “adequate” intake. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) determined that most Americans do drink to thirst so that most people do not need to worry about avoiding caffeinated beverages. Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea and colas are often viewed as beverages that do not aid hydration and should not be counted. The IOM report said this is not true and that All beverages can be counted.
In addition to helping to keep the body hydrated, drinking beverages can help you control what you eat. Often is difficult for us to tell the difference between hunger and thirst and the normal reaction is that people will eat, which can contribute to overeating and overweight. Taking time to ask the question -Am I hungry or is this thirst – can help you manage hunger and aid our need for hydration.
Since summer has at least 6 more weeks take time now to assess your intake and if needed work to boost intake your body will love your for this and you might actually end up eating 
Connie Diekman, M.ED, RD, CSSD, LD