6 ways to drink enough water when you really don't like water.

Eight cups a day.

According to recommendations from the  Australian Government Department of Health, as well as the Dietitians Association of Australia, that’s how much water we’re supposed to be drinking per day. Of course, this number varies based on certain things – exercise, temperature, illness – but on an average day, the general consensus is that it’s good to aim for about two litres. Which is a hell of a lot when you don’t particularly like drinking water.

I know there are some of you out there who are all like, “who doesn’t like drinking water? It doesn’t taste like anything!” But it does have a taste. A taste which I’ve never enjoyed. I’m sure there are others out there that are just like me, so for your benefit – I’ve put together this list of suggestions for how to get in that two litres of water per day when you just don’t want to drink the damn stuff.

1. Figure out what you like.

This might sound a little bit crazy, but some waters are superior to others in the taste stakes. Bottled water, filtered water and tap water all taste different and it’s up to you to work out which kind you like best – and then stock up accordingly.

Tap water is obviously the cheapest and easiest option, although if you work in an office you also probably have access to a decent supply of cold, filtered water (by far the superior water, in my opinion).

Being the unluckiest human in the world, I got a parasite from drinking tap water in Sydney, and now I have a weird nervous thing about drinking it – so I got a filter tap installed in my house. It’s a bit pricey but an excellent option if you’re keen on filtered water, and saves you forking out any cash on bottled water. (Before you get worried about my teeth, my dentist isn’t worried and I use a fluoride toothpaste to avoid any issues regarding fluoride intake.)

If you’re really, really not keen on water, stock up on herbal teas – they’re the best and most hydrating alternative to water, and a far better option than caffeinated coffee, tea and soft drinks.

2. Flavour your water.

As long as you’re not drinking those pre-packaged flavoured waters (which are really just sugar water), there’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of flavour to your water. Try…

– Squeezing a bit of lemon or lime into your water.

– Freezing fruit into ice cubes and adding them (raspberry ice cubes are my favourite).

– Adding just a splash of fruit juice so you get the flavour without all the sugar.

– Slicing up any fruit and adding it to your water (although you might like to let the water sit in the fridge for a few hours, to infuse the flavours of the fruit). Literally any fruit works for this, and you can make up your own combinations – mango, pineapple and mint, anyone?

3. Eat your water.

Tomatoes, cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, celery, watermelon (duh) and berries are all foods that have a high water content, meaning they’re good for hydration. So if you have a nice big salad for lunch, followed by some watermelon and strawberries for dessert, you’ve not only had some gorgeous nutrients – you’ve also hydrated yourself.

4. Get a cute water bottle.

If retail therapy helps motivate you, then you have my permission to spend some cash on a really nice water bottle. Try to go for glass if possible, or plastic that is labelled as BPA-free. You can find bottles anywhere these days – Kmart’s bottles are often just as good as the pricier options – but here are some of my favourites:

– Lululemon Pure Focus Glass Waterbottle, $35 (buy here)

– Adidas Poly 700ml water bottle, $14.99 (buy here)

– Bobble filtered water bottle, $9.95 (buy here)

An epic idea is to calculate exactly how much water you need to be drinking per hour and then mark your water bottle with times, so that you can check where you’re at throughout the day. It turns water-drinking into a game, where you compete against… yourself! Check out this example from Pinterest…

5. Get your hydration in early.

I get up first thing in the morning and drink a big glass of warm water with half a lemon squeezed into it (through a straw, otherwise it can wear away the enamel on your teeth). Following that, I make a massive smoothie, about half of which is generally water.

All this is usually done before 9 am – which means I’ve usually had almost a litre of water first thing in the morning, and I’m already hydrated and ready to go for the rest of the day. I can drink slowly throughout the rest of the day, but I love getting that hydrating kick-start in first thing.

Apparently Cameron Diaz is a massive supporter of this, too – she wrote in her recent book that she gets up and chugs a litre of water before doing anything else.

6. Have water everywhere.

If it’s in front of you, you will drink it. So always have a bottle of water at your desk, next to your bed, on the coffee table while you watch TV, in your handbag, etc.

How do you make sure you drink enough water?

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