Food Talk: Weather and water intake

QUESTION: How does climate change affect my need for water?

ANSWER: Warmer weather certainly increases our need for water and the risk for dehydration. We hear on the news about global warming and the temperature is getting hotter and staying hot for a longer period of time. With this change we are required to adjust our fluid intake to survive.

This time of year we are outside more and exposed to warmer temperatures for a longer period of time. This allows fluids to evaporate from our system. It is part of the body’s cooling process.

The best way to control dehydration is to prevent it from happening. Warmer days require more water. Exercising requires additional water. Usually these two things go together. As the weather improves we are more active. Thus the need for extra water is two fold.

Drink at least eight to 10 glasses of water a day. This is the bare minimum. Another guide is dividing your weight in half and that equals the ounces of water you need (bare minimum). Room temperature water hydrates a person more quickly than cold water.

Do not use thirst as an indicator. If you wait until you are thirsty to drink, you are already dehydrated. 

Choose your beverages wisely. Alcohol and caffeine beverages only increase dehydration.

On warm days take plenty of breaks to get in the shade and drink water. Plan to do this about every 15 to 20 minutes and drink about 6 ounces (3/4 cup) of water.

For this situation, an ounce of prevention is definitely worth more than a pound of cure.

For more information about any nutrition issues, please call Registered Dietitian Ellen Loftis at (479) 549-2425.