Fluid

We need to make sure that our bodies stay hydrated, especially in hot weather, when exercising or playing sport.  The amount needed varies according to your age, size, the weather and how active you are. Fluid comes from all we drink as well as many everyday foods (for example, fruits and vegetables).

So how much should we be drinking to stay hydrated? Your body will tell you by feeling thirsty- even feeling slightly thirsty is a sign to drink some water!

As a rough guide, adult women should aim for 2.1 L (8 cups) and men, 2.6 L (10 cups) of fluid each day and children 1 – 1.6 L (4-6 cups) (NRV, 2014). This includes all drinks, including those listed below, and water. You will need more

• when exercising or playing a lot of sport
• during pregnancy (~2.3 L) and even more so when breastfeeding (~2.6 L)

The best test to check that you are adequately hydrated is that you go to the toilet regularly and by checking the colour of your urine (pee)

• pale yellow= hydrated
• dark yellow= dehydrated
• looks like water= overhydrated

In older age, your thirst signals actually decrease even though your body still needs the water, therefore, it becomes even more so important to check that you are going to the toilet regularly and to check the colour of your pee.

• Water In New Zealand, tap water is cheap, readily available and doesn’t contain any energy (calories/kilojoules). It is the best fluid for hydrating your body.
• Fruit juices usually have as much sugar as soft (fizzy) drinks, so should not be relied upon for re-hydrating.
• Soft drinks, energy, sports and powdered drinks, and cordials all contain sugar and very little else in the way of nutrients. They are best reserved on an occasional basis, especially if you are watching your weight, as they are very high in energy (kilojoules/calories).
• Milk and water are recommended as the best drinks for children. Milk contains valuable nutrients – calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals. Low-fat or reduced-fat options are suitable for children older than two years of age. For children between one and two years, dark-blue top milk is appropriate. Flavoured milk still contains loads of beneficial nutrients but are higher in sugar than ordinary milk – check the label and choose the one that is lowest in fat and sugar.
• Tea and coffee are popular drinks for many people, both for taste and the fact they are low in kilojoules/calories (before you add milk and sugar). Black and green teas and coffee all contain antioxidants beneficial for our health. Both tea and coffee contain caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system. You may hear that caffeine has a mild diuretic effect (makes you pee): this is true, but in a cup of tea and coffee there is plenty of fluid to offset these losses.
• Alcohol has a strong dehydrating effect, so should not be considered part of your daily fluid intake.

• Water and milk are the best drinks to offer children. Water is the best drink for adults.
• Keep a jug of water in the fridge so that chilled water is easily available to all the family. Flavour the water with slices of lemon or lime.
• When away from home, take a bottle of water with you.
• Keep juices and fizzy drinks for special occasions, not every day.
• When drinking alcohol, have water as well to counter alcohol’s strong dehydrating effect.

More info:

Water Health Navigator NZ

References

National Health and Medical Research Council (Australia) and Ministry of Health (New Zealand) (2014) Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand: Water.

Last modified: 18/07/2022