How Much Liquid .......

[Barsel]

should you drink in a day to keep yourself hydrated? Does it depend what time of the year it is?

[Barsel]

New Judge it doesn't work like that with me. If I feel thirsty or if I'm going out shopping etc I tend to stick a piece of chewing gum in my mouth. While a lot of people seem to walk around carrying a little bottle of water, I just make sure I have some gum to chew. It really doesn't occur to me to drink water if I feel thirsty. This is why I need to get into the habit of drinking liquids more.

[Prudie]

I've managed for some years on 4 or 5 cups of tea, maybe 1/2 a glass of coke and a couple of swigs of water at bedtime (on normal days, not on holidays). I don't think I could begin to drink even a litre of water a day.

[MrsLadyBug]

Everybody is different and depends a lot on age, and how your body deals with fluid.
You get fluids from some foods too.
So if you are not unnaturally retaining fluid just drink what you feel you need.
Have been with nephrologist for consultation lately and as I have fluid retention he has advised just that. 2 litres of actual liquid with normal diet is plenty.
I suppose it would vary if you are very athletic or in a warm climate
I think common sense is the key here.

[Buenchico]

Check your pee:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/beattheheat/PublishingImages/urine_chart.jpg

[New Judge]

Personally I never drink water. Beer, tea and Gin & Tonic are about all I drink regularly. I couldn't possibly drink 7 pints of water in a day. On a normal day I will have four cups of tea (so probably about two pints or so). About a third of a pint of milk with my cereal and that's it.

Tonight I'm going out for dinner so I'll have a G&T to start, share a bottle of wine with Mrs NJ and have a double espresso and brandy whilst waiting for a taxi.

[MrsLadyBug]

Your fluid intake doesn't have to be just water. It would include any teas, coffees, milk or even juicy fruits, tomatoes etc.
So a balanced diet, a couple of cups of tea/coffee a day you wouldn't really need much extra water.

[Barsel]

New Judge, I can't add alcohol as I don't drink anything alcoholic. I think as Mrs lady Bug has said I need to use some common sense. Chris, on the occasions when I have had to supply a water sample it does tend to look more like orange juice than apple juice. :-)

[Buenchico]

From NHS Wales:
http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/866/page/99091

[Patsy33]

Just drink when you're thirsty. We ate all different. I personally have, drank loads of water from a child. Never fail to take a glass of water to bed with me too.

[davebro]

Certainly alcohol (and to some extent depending on your hydration level, tea or coffee) can dehydrate you. So if you drink alcs you probably need to drink more water or mixers.

[New Judge]

//It really doesn't occur to me to drink water if I feel thirsty.//

Then, dare I say it, there's your problem!

[ummmm]

I mainly drink water but always have squash and juice in the house.

[Barsel]

davebro me @ 18.31.
Chris that article is good. I'm going to print it for future reference. The urine chart is funny though, I thought it was a Dulux colour chart paint strip:-)
New Judge you've got me banged to rights.
Patsy I always take a glass of water to bed with me too as I always wake up with a bone dry mouth.
ummmm the link that Chris has put on mentioned adding things like lemon or lime.That's pprobably another reason I don't drink it because it's tasteless and boring.

[ummmm]

That's why I add so much ice. Stops it being boring. I found when I started drinking water daily I started to crave it.

[Barsel]

ummmm you are like one of my daughters who craved ice through both her pregnancies. It used to go through me when she crunched it. You're not ........ are you? :-).

[ummmm]

Lol...I hope not :-D

[wolf63]

I keep getting lectured on drinking more, but I drink 2 litres per day minimum, usually much more. I have a 1.5ltr bottle full of ice-cold water with me just now. I have been getting regular Kidney Function tests due to drug and health issues. Like ummmm I eat ice, not all the time but I love it. I buy 2ltr bags of Scottish water.

My little boy cat has Kidney Failure and is supposed to eat a special diet. He says that it vile and won't eat it. When he eats normal food he has HUGE wees in his litter tray.
It's frustrating trying to coax him into eating his expensive medicinal food, but life is complicated enough without spending time arguing with a cat.

[Barsel]

Better than arguing with yourself although saying that, you would always win the argument while you can't win an argument with a cat.

[pastafreak]

I drink when I'm thirsty...at home at least. When at work, we are not allowed to consume good or drink in the kitchen...so I might be thirsty, but unable to drink at that moment. I usually have a coffee + a small glass of water at home, then a 450ml flask of coffee + a 500 ml bottle of water-that I sip as and when at work. I may have another 500+ml bottle of spring water at home. I drink up until bedtime, and sometimes need the loo over night.
I'm thirsty now...all I had was 3 coffees from mid morning.

[douglas9401]

Some might say that there's no problem with hydration if we can maintain a steady stream like this one. :-)