People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) need to take care to drink enough water, especially if diarrhea is an issue or there has been surgery to remove part or all of the large intestine (colon). Some daily water intake can also be gotten through eating a healthy diet, but if absorption is an issue, it’s even more important to drink water.
Every person’s water needs are a little different, so there’s no hard and fast rule about how much to drink. The key is to determine your own water needs based on your health, your environment (such as hot, dry weather), and if you exercise enough to sweat.
If you find water boring, there are a number of simple and healthy ways to make it a more appealing drink. If you forget to drink water or are just not in the habit, there are several simple tricks you can use to boost your water intake during the day. If you truly think you are dehydrated, check with your healthcare provider about the best way for you to get enough hydration.
Choose a pitcher that you like and that fits with your personality or your decor. Maybe you even have one that was given to you as a gift or that you only get out for special occasions.
Glass and stainless steel make good choices and will often make a nice accent on a table or a counter. A pitcher doesn’t have to be expensive—it just needs to be something that you find pleasing and that you can keep nearby during the day.
Don’t reach for other types of drinks or mix-in powders. Many of them contain ingredients that are not healthy. Instead, you can use some fresh fruits or herbs to infuse some natural flavor into your water.
The quickest and easiest way is to add some lemon to your water. Wash and slice up a fresh lemon. Take a wedge and squeeze it over your glass of water to give it a fresh citrus taste. If you’re cold, try some lemon in hot water and see how comforting it is.
If you want to try something more adventurous, there is no shortage of recipes for infusing water with fresh ingredients. If you decide that’s the way to go for you, you could even try using an infusion pitcher to make it a little easier.
If meetings tend to make you want to nod off, you might be tempted to bring some coffee or tea, but try some hot lemon water instead. If you remember to fill up your water bottle two or three times while at work, it will go a long way towards helping you meet your water needs for the day.
If you’re currently using a glass that holds six ounces, doubling it to 12 means fewer trips to the tap and you might wind up drinking twice as much water in the long run. It’s such an easy switch to make that you could probably do it right now.
