Beverages

From Cathy Wong, N.D., Your Guide to Alternative Medicine.

What to Drink

Patients often tell me that it is difficult to drink enough fluids throughout the day. They don't want to interrupt their work by getting up to fill their glass or going to the bathroom, or they just simply forget to drink.

But your body is comprised of 50 to 60 percent water and needs to be replenished daily. Generally, eight glasses of fluids per day is recommended but this varies greatly according to exercise level and diet.

Some people gulp down large amounts of water to meet the eight glass per day guideline. It is important to sip fluids slowly throughout the day to maximize absorption.

Beverages to Drink

Water -- Water should be room temperature or warm. If you have existing digestive problems, cold water can worsen this problem. If you drink tap water, you may want to purchase a home water filter. Squeeze lemon, lime, or orange wedges into your water for flavor.

Herbal Teas -- Caffeine-free herbal teas are excellent. Peppermint, chamomile, and caraway in particular improve digestion and reduce bloating.

Vegetable Juices -- Vegetable juices are a great way of getting your daily vegetables and fluids. Avoid canned juices and vegetable cocktails that contain high levels of salt. Celery, wheatgrass, cucumber, fennel, parsley, and other non-starchy vegetables are excellent choices. Carrots are sweet so be sure to drink carrot juice in moderation. If you enjoy the taste of vegetable juice, you may wish to purchase your own juicer.

Smoothies -- A smoothie made of a combination or fresh or frozen berries, a scoop of protein powder, greens powder, soy or rice milk, and flax oil is a great way to start the day. If you are used to coffee or something sweet in the morning, you may find that a power smoothie gives you more sustained energy.

Fruit Juices -- In general, it is better to eat fruit than drink it. In liquid form, the sugar in fruit juice is absorbed into the bloodstream is absorbed relatively quickly. Try diluting fruit juice with water -- one part unsweetened fruit juice to one to three parts water. You can use sparkling water to dilute as long as it is low in sodium.

Decaffeinated Coffee -- If you drink decaf, make sure that it is water-processed. Use a small amount of table cream or milk if necessary, but keep sugar, artificial sweeteners, and honey to a minimum.