9 Ways To Make Your Water More Exciting

How many cups of water do you drink a day? We asked 10 nutritionists how much water you should actually be drinking, and though the exact amount recommended varies depending on your lifestyle, the general answer is generally the more, the better.

Certified nutritionist Brad Davidson recommends people drink half their body weight in water per day, because increasing water intake can boost your metabolism by as much as seven percent. Rebecca Lewis, registered dietitian for HelloFresh, suggests eight glasses a day. "To put it into perspective, you need to drink four 16-ounce glasses of water or two and a half large water bottles per day," Lewis explains. "That may seem like a lot of water but it's worth it for your overall health, energy levels, and waistline, especially while exercising. Often times when you feel very hungry, it's really just your body sending a signal that you are dehydrated!"

Despite these recommendations, studies show that up to three-fourths of Americans drink well below the suggested amount. If you aren't particularly fond of the taste of water, we get it — it's not that exciting. Nonetheless, dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and joint pain, among other health complications. If you aren't drinking enough water, it's not too late to start.

If you're concerned that you don't like the taste of water enough to get your daily dose of H20, there are strategies that can help you stay hydrated. Investing in a reusable water bottle, infusing your water with fruit, or tallying how much you consume are some quick examples of how you can make your water more enjoyable to drink as well as how to drink more of it.

Surprisingly, the smallest steps can make the biggest difference. Read on for nine ways you can make water more exciting and easy to enjoy.

When you're shopping for herbs, water is probably the last thing on your mind. Herbs aren't only for cooking, though. Rosemary, thyme, basil, cilantro, and mint will make your water quite tasty (and look pretty). In addition, they provide many health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.

Instead of enjoying still water alone, mix half of your glass with sparkling water. This will enhance your water, along with reducing the carbonated qualities of straight sparkling water.

If you're trying to kick your caffeine addiction and wean off coffee, believe us when we say it's easier said than done. Though many people truly enjoy the taste of coffee, others love the comfort of grasping a warm mug and drinking something hot first thing in the morning. Luckily, coffee and tea are not the only liquids you can enjoy warm. If you heat up a cup of water in the morning, it will provide the same comfort as a hot cup of tea or coffee. Add some lemon juice for a boost of flavor.

Not only will this tactic make drinking water more exciting, but it's also better for the environment. Carrying a water bottle around all day will act as a constant reminder to keep on drinking. With a reusable water bottle in your hand, you'll quickly run out of excuses as to why you're not hydrating. While searching for the perfect reusable water bottle for your lifestyle, it's helpful to considerer the insolation, capacity, and material of each brand. Here's a roundup of some of our favorite options.

Offering truly the best of both worlds, fruit-infused water will simultaneously hydrate you while providing you with all of the benefits from the fruits you chose to infuse it with. To infuse your water, just cut up your favorite fruit, drop it in a pitcher or a glass of water, and drink up! Plus, you can eat the fruit once you're finished. Feeling inspired? Check out this list of 10 fruits to add your water that will totally benefit your body.

Instead of infusing your fruits and herbs into your water, try making ice cubes with them.  Next time you go to make another set of ice cubes to store away in your freezer, add some small berries and mint leaves into the tray. You can use these ice cubes in water to make it a more exciting beverage, but you can also use them to add flavor to other liquids, too.

Ask yourself: What's the best part about getting in shape or changing your diet? While embarking on a lifestyle or diet change, people enjoy tracking their progress and seeing results. This is the concept behind tracking how much water you've consumed in a day: Each bottle or glass of water you drink marks another tally on your daily intake. This way, at the end of the day, you can look back on all of your progress and give yourself a pat on the back. An easy way to track how much water you've consumed is to wrap a rubber band around the body of your water bottle after each time you finish it.

Nothing will hydrate you like plain water, but if you need to add a little oomph to your cup, flavored waters are the next best thing. While shopping for a flavored water or a non-traditional water like charcoal or coconut to try, be sure to check the nutrition labels. Many pre-packaged flavored waters have added sugars that will actually dehydrate you. Coconut water from an actual coconut is probably your safest option.

Yes, if you drink plan water from a mason jar rather than a normal glass, it's the same thing. Though switching up your glass will not change the taste, it will definitely make it more appealing to the eye, making it more enjoyable to consume. Why do you think fancy pitchers, glasses, and other vessels are a thing?