Make water your go-to drink

Canada's food guide recommends making water your drink of choice. Your body loses water all day through sweating, breathing and getting rid of waste, and that water needs to be replaced. Water does the job without the sugars, sodium or saturated fat found in many other drinks.

The trick is making water the easy option:

• Keep a pitcher in the fridge or on the table.
• Carry a reusable bottle when you head out.
• Have water with your meals, and ask for it when you eat out.
• Drink it hot or cold. Both count.

If plain water feels boring, add flavour. Try raspberries and cucumber, strawberries and fresh basil, or chopped apple with a cinnamon stick. Crush the berries or tear the herbs to release more flavour. Sparkling water works too if you like some fizz.

Other healthy choices include unsweetened lower fat milk, unsweetened fortified plant-based beverages like soy, and unsweetened coffee and tea.

Try this today: Fill a pitcher tonight, add a few pieces of fruit, and put it front and centre in the fridge.

Sources

• Canada's food guide: Make water your drink of choice (opens in a new tab)