Make drinking water part of your summer plan. Use these tips to get more water as a family.
Why should we drink more water?
- Your body loses and uses water every day-especially a hot summer day!
- Dehydration can be dangerous!
- Water will quench your thirst!
- Water has exactly zero calories!
- Water is cheaper than many other choices-usually FREE!
- Set goals for yourself and your family!
The summer is a good time to work on water goals since we are already drinking more due to the hot temperatures. Getting your family on board for the summer months is a great time to start a new habit to continue into the next school year.
Make a family chart to track your progress! Turn the challenge into a competition for a little fun and added excitement. If goals are met, reward the family with a special activity such as a trip to a pool, a playdate with friends, or a new game for the yard.
Here’s a handy dandy water tracker. Print one for each member of your family.
- Add something new!
Leaving sugary drinks and snacks behind can be difficult at first - for everyone in the family! Approach it in a positive way! Make a plan to add something new instead of focusing on taking away your favorites! Give your kids a list of healthier options and let them choose! Let them help to shop and prepare some new snacks. Remember, healthy change will take practice, so give it some time. Keep water bottles in the refrigerator for easy access. Fill up a pitcher and use a favorite fruit or vegetable to add flavor to the water. Try this Wild Water recipe for ideas. Find other ways to add water to your family’s diet by increasing fruit and veggies at each meal. Try tasty Fruit Kabobs as a snack or addition to any summer meal.
- Reward the savings!
Take water and healthy snacks with you on family trips or at a sporting event. You will be amazed by how much you can save at the store by cutting back on these items. Put the money you save aside each week and share the savings with the kiddos. They will be learning two important lessons this way: Sugary drinks are unhealthy and expensive and that small savings will add up! Give the money to the kids for a reward to encourage these healthy new habits or use it on a fun family activity after you save up for a few weeks.
