If any of you followed JSA back in the day, I did an infused water post that was horribly composed and terribly written. This week’s Weight Loss Wednesday is about hydration, so I thought, why not redo that awful old post with new infused water ideas? It feels so weird to always be drinking water nowadays because I used to hate drinking water.
I had friends in high school and in my undergrad who seemed to have a water bottle within arms reach at all times. They seemed to be constantly drinking water, it was unbelievable. There were a couple times that I experimented with drinking 2L of water in a day. You know what I discovered? The worst thing about drinking the recommended amount of water isn’t actually the act of drinking the water, but it’s the constant need to go to the bathroom that naturally comes from drinking 2L of water a day.
HOW DO PEOPLE DEAL WITH THAT?!
Now, obviously, those who know me now know that I have become that person who always has a water bottle. I probably don’t drink 2L a day, it’s probably closer to 4-6 cups, but even still, having to go to the bathroom but being stuck on the subway during rush hour is possibly one of the worst feelings.
I need to hone my water-drinking timing skills.
But in all honesty, the days that I do manage to drink 2L of water a day, I can feel my body thanking me (after I go to the bathroom, that is). My skin is clearer, I get fewer headaches, and I feel more energized. We all know the benefits of drinking more water. Now all we have to do is stop being lazy and actually drink it! (By we, I mean I. No judgement for you.)
But water to the average person is so bland. Tasteless. Pointless and filling. To those who need a little extra motivation to make you drink water, or even just a treat for those who already love water, you should try some of my infused water ideas.
- Orange & basil
- Cucumber & mint
- Lemon & ginger
- Cucumber & lime
- Orange, lime & mint
There are also tons of other great combinations out there, like pineapple & pear, blueberry & basil, lime & cilantro.
The best thing is that once you drink the water from whatever receptacle you have been using, you can just refill the water and the herbs and fruits you used are still good for the rest of the day! The longer you let the water sit, the stronger the flavour. I prefer no more than an hour of “infusing” but sometimes the longer it sits, the bigger punch it gives me. This is handy for someone who doesn’t drink coffee or tea in the morning =)
Be creative, do what you tastes best to you. I just wanted some good immune-boosting flavours to fight the onslaught of sick friends and classmates. Be gone, sickness! I don’t need you right now, my life is crazy enough as it is.
For more infused water flavour ideas, visit Nutrition Stripped.
To see what my other WLW friends wrote, visit the links below:
Infused Water Ideas
Ingredients
- 3-4 slices of cucumber
- 2-3 mint leaves
- 2-3 basil leaves
- 2 slices of orange
- 2 slices of lime
- 2 slices of lemon
- 1 inch of ginger, peeled and sliced
Instructions
- For individual servings, I used 500mL jars and added the following:
- Cucumber & lime: 3-4 slices of cucumber + 1 slice of lime
- Cucumber & mint: 3-4 slices of cucumber + 2 mint leaves
- Orange, lime, & mint: 2 slices of orange + 1 slice of lime + 2-3 mint leaves
- Lemon & ginger: 2 slices of lemon + 1 inch of ginger, peeled + sliced
- Orange & basil: 2 slices of orange, 2-3 basil leaves
McKel Hill, MS, RD, LDN | Nutrition Stripped says
Thank you for sharing!
Ting says
Hello Lisa, lovely pictures and great ideas! :D Might get the kids to do that. :p
kochschlampe says
I never really understood why some people do not like to drink water as it is. Water tastes usually really good (unless you’re drinken wird chlorinated tap water)! The only time it tastes ‘off’ to me is when I really need to top up my electrolytes.
But then… I have to take care not to drink more than 2-3 litres a day, so as not to accidentally induce diabetes insipidus one day.
Lisa Mai says
Hahah well I never find it tastes “off”, it just tastes like nothing to me. I’m surprised that you have to keep yourself from drinking more! That’s intense.