Hydration in winter – what counts as water?

Before I decided to become a healthy person I never drank water. Now I can’t imagine a day without it. As the weather cools down it can be a little harder to drink eight glasses a day. You do need to stay hydrated all year round, so don’t slacken off in winter.

Apart from the obvious signs of having a dry mouth there are a number of other signs that tell you it’s time to hydrate. If you find yourself yawning mid-afternoon grab a glass of water. Next time you have a headache, before reaching for the aspirin try drinking a big glass of water. Dry skin can also be a sign you’re not getting enough H2O.

If you need more reasons to drink water, I have the best reason – staying hydrated can help you lose weight! Here’s how:

Dehydration is often mistaken for hunger. Next time you feel hungry, try drinking a glass of water instead of raiding the pantry or fridge.
Feeling tired in the afternoons can be a big reason people reach for high sugar snacks, the simple solution – stay hydrated.
If you are not drinking adequate water your body will retain fluid.

Set a goal each day to drink your water. If you currently drink no water, make your first goal to drink three glasses of water each day for a week. Drink one glass when you get up, one at lunch time and one at dinner time. Then the next week add another glass and gradually build up to your eight glasses a day.

I often get asked, what counts as water? Things like coffee, tea and alcohol are not going to add to your daily water tally. In fact, all drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol are actually diuretics which means they dehydrate you.

Sugary drinks such as soft drinks and cordial are full of empty calories and don’t count towards your daily eight glasses. Sports drinks were originally designed for elite athletes to combat depleted electrolyte and glycogen levels; unless you’re training for the Olympics, stay away from these.

In winter it can be hard to face a cold glass of water.

So what are the best no-calorie options to stay hydrated?

The best choice is water; leave the jug on the bench rather than putting it in the fridge.
A cup of warm water with a slice of lemon is a nice change to plain water.
Herbal teas help to keep you hydrated; my favourite is peppermint.

If you struggle to remember to drink up why not install a water App on your phone to remind you.

Do you struggle to drink water in winter? What tips do you have?

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

60 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 15 Aug 2021
    1:25 pm
ive always been a good water drinker. If for some reason I dont get my water I end up feeling sick with a headache.

- - mom460223 said
  - 20 Sep 2020
    3:25 pm
I don’t drink enough water. There are days I can go without a single glass. I drink a lot of coffee and tea so I know I have to be stricter on myself. I have just bought a variety of the cold infusion herbal teas so glad to hear they are good alternative to plain water.

- - Ness904 said
  - 11 Aug 2020
    4:22 pm
Yes I suggest to keep a 2L bottle literally with you at all times during winter to prompt you to keep hydrated.

- - MamaBergs said
  - 05 Jun 2020
    4:31 pm
I have one of those huge 2L water bottles, so easy to track how much youve drunk that day, I refill before bedtime.

- - mom450498 said
  - 26 May 2020
    2:12 pm
Not sure if it’s because I’m breastfeeding but I’m finding that I’m always dehydrated and it shows on my lips being always dry. I try to keep up drinking enough water and keeping to decaf coffee and tea but still dry and winter hasn’t started!

- - mom146810 said
  - 24 May 2020
    9:03 pm
I feel any liquid drink is count as water, as long as it doesn’t have sugar.

- - mom462794 said
  - 24 May 2020
    9:52 am
I have found I’m drinking more herbal tea on the cooler days to warm up. Love my coffee but I know it’s dehydrating too.

- - snazzy007 said
  - 23 May 2020
    10:51 am
Timely reminder so easy to not drink water in winter just having my herbal tea , warm water feels so good too

- - youngoldlady said
  - 06 Mar 2018
    1:13 am
Even though it is a nuisance, my water bottle is always with me. I try to drink this bottle twice each day with water lvls for different times of the day.

- - mom196906 said
  - 02 Feb 2018
    11:12 pm
We all need to drink more water, it’s the best thing for us,

- - mom196906 said
  - 02 Feb 2018
    11:09 pm
Water Is the key. We all need to drink more of it

- - ashna9 said
  - 10 Jan 2018
    8:17 pm
I always thought that any water intake counts however I only drink water plan so easy for me to count the glasses.

- - Saffron said
  - 20 Dec 2017
    9:27 pm
I’m not a water drinker unless I drop a tea bag or two in it. I have no idea how I could possibly chug down eight glasses of the stuff a day and I’ve tried herbal teas — they taste foul. Kudos to all who do the right thing. I’m hopeless and should try your tip to start small and work my way up to eight glasses.

- - LuckyMum said
  - 21 Nov 2017
    12:10 pm
I try to drink ample water each day. I certainly notice it on the days I don’t !

- - mundoo said
  - 30 Oct 2017
    10:51 pm
I work outside on our farm everyday and find that if I don’t keep up with drinking my water that I get a headache. I don’t drink nearly enough but try to replenish when I stop for meals. Hot days are a problem for me so I take lots of water with me. I have learnt that my body needs water but I have to be very disciplined to drink enough.

- - Mum2archer said
  - 17 Sep 2017
    4:07 pm
I struggle to drink water at anytime of the year. I only drink when I’m feeling thirsty and I very rarely feel thirsty. I find that carrying around a drink bottle with me helps me to drink whether I feel thirsty or not as I just have a couple mouthfuls every time I see it

- - Haylz89 said
  - 01 Sep 2017
    2:38 pm
I am terrible at remembering to drink water, especially over winter, when I’m more likely to reach for tea or coffee!

- - Rachell88 said
  - 31 May 2017
    12:26 pm
I was abit worries when I read that teas don’t count as hydration but relieved when I read that herbal teas do. I love herbal teas and love knowing they are good for me whilst also being yummy.

- - Kath said
  - 16 Apr 2017
    11:20 am
I can’t drink cold water from the fridge, even i summer. But I’m happy to drink tap water all year round. I also love my peppermint tea ????

- - mom212557 said
  - 14 Dec 2016
    5:58 pm
I love boiling water in a cup. Nothing in it, just hot water. In summer I freeze a 1.25L bottle that’s half full with water. Then each morning I take one out and wrap in a tea towel and keep filling all day for nice freezing cold water. Love it.