How much water should I be drinking?

I have had some people ask about how much water is enough so the quick answer is, Government guidelines say 8 glasses of water a day, but your height, weight and the size of the glass all make a difference.

Most people urinate an average of 1.5 liter a day and you lose another liter of liquid through breathing and sweating.
You get about 20% of your water every day through food, so a general rule is to drink 2 liters of water a day. This is the equivalent to a large bottle of soda, or three and a half pints.

If you're feeling thirsty you're already dehydrated so don't wait until you need a drink, sip small amounts throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated. Factors, such as exercise, weather, illness, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding all make a difference in how much you need to increase your water intake. The best way to know is to listen to your body.

You can get a certain amount of water from tea, coffee and carbonated drinks but they're all what are called diuretics, which make you go to the bathroom more, as well as increase the amount of water your body uses. They also don't quench your thirst like water does either. That doesn't mean you can't drink them, tea has other health benefits, but it just means that you'll have to drink more water as well.

If you're worried you're not drinking enough, measure how much you're drinking for a few days to see if it's anywhere near the minimum amount. Check how often you go to the bathroom, and your urine color. If it's pale and clear then you're drinking a healthy amount. If it's dark yellow and cloudy you might be dehydrated or not drinking enough.

I hope this helps.