Do you hate water? Or find yourself always reaching for something else to quench your thirst? Drinking enough water is so important for the body. In fact it is more important than food. Yet, so many of us fail to drink enough water each day. In fact, it is estimated that roughly 75% of the U.S. population is chronically dehydrated. So, what do you do if you don’t like water? How do you learn to drink enough water if you hate it? 

First, understand the benefits of water. Most people know water is important for the body. Not everyone knows why it is so important. Here are some reasons why drinking enough water matters: 

• Water helps to improve mood and brain function – In a study of young women, dehydration lead to impaired mood and concentration. It also increased frequency of headaches. Another similar study showed dehydration in men lead to increased feelings of anxiety and fatigue, and was detrimental to working memory.  
• Water helps prevent headaches – Dehydration is a powerful trigger to both headaches and migraines. Drinking enough water can help prevent headache symptoms, especially in people who are dehydrated. 
• Water helps to relieve constipation – Drinking enough water is key to keeping our bowels working properly. If you struggle with constipation, making sure you are getting enough fluid is essential. 
• Water keeps our bodies at a healthy temperature – This is especially useful during these hot, summer months. 
• Water can help with weight loss – Water can help control appetite and boost your metabolic rate. For appetite control, the trick is to drink water about 30 minutes before your meals, making you feel more full so you will be less likely to overeat. 

How Much Water Do You Need? 

The common recommendation is eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day (the 8×8 rule). Drinking frequently throughout the day will help prevent dehydration. You also will want to drink enough water so your urine is always a pale yellow color — this is assuming you don’t take medications or supplements that change the color of your urine. 

What to Do If You Hate Water? Try these Simple Tricks: 

1. Infuse Water with Fruits and Vegetables 

Infused water is a great way to add some flavor to this flavorless beverage. You simply add your favorite fruits or vegetables to a pitcher of water and let the it infuse for at least two hours in the fridge. Need inspiration? Check out my cucumber, mint, and lime infused water recipe. Some other of my favorite combinations include: orange, strawberry, and basil or pineapple, coconut, and lime. 

2. Get a Nice Water Bottle to Carry Everywhere With You

Sometimes getting in the habit of drinking more water is all it takes to start liking it more. I always recommend getting a nice water bottle and making an effort to never leave the house without it. 

3. Set Water Intake Goals

Make some goals. Something like, “drink x cups of water by lunchtime” and “another x cups by dinner.” Setting intentions is a powerful tool for behavior change. Let’s say you are currently only drinking one or maybe two glasses of water per day. Start with a goal to add an additional glass of water before lunch, another glass of water in the afternoon and one more before dinner. Before you know it, you will be drinking five to six glasses of water per day instead of one to two glass per day. 

My biggest tip? Stick with it. Water intake is critical for your body function — so, it’s critical to stick with it and keep trying to make it a habit, even if it doesn’t take right away. Remember, the more water you drink, the more likely you are to start enjoying it!