- My dietitian recommended solutions that allow me to easily quantify my water intake, like measurement-marked bottles and reusable tumblers.
- I also measured how much water my at-home glassware holds with my Pyrex measuring cup in order to track my ounces that way.
- Adjusting your water intake is one of the hardest things to do, according to my dietitian, so these tips were designed to make it seamless.
After years of guiding myself, I started seeing a dietitian a few months ago. One of the first things we discussed was my daily water intake, and I’ll admit it: I felt like I was above that. Surely, I must get enough water—after all, it’s my favorite thing to drink! Wrong. I’m not off the mark by much (maybe a glass or two), but there’s enough room for growth that we set a hydration goal. She shared with me her favorite tip, and lo and behold, it genuinely worked.
My dietitian told me that, for many of her patients, changing water drinking habits is one of the hardest things because it’s such a mindless activity. Her tip was to quantify my water, meaning I should have a measurable vessel that makes tracking and increasing my amount as seamless as possible. There are many ways to do this, though her favorite is this time-marked bottle. She also said buying reusable tumblers is another easy way to keep track.
I’m a kitchen glass type of person, so I literally took the time to grab my big Pyrex measuring cup to measure just how much water I’m getting with each glass, and I was pretty surprised by the results (I was way under). While my goal is to reach 85 to 90 ounces a day, there are general guidelines: Most women should consume 91 ounces of water a day, according to experts, while men may want to aim for 125 ounces. That goal doesn’t consist only of sitting and drinking plain water—you can get some of it through food, too. It’s best to consult with a physician to determine your sweet spot, but I’m sure these hacks below will help you reach whatever goals you set. After all, they did so for me.
Dietitian-Approved Water Drinking Hacks That Actually Work
- St-Yben Large Motivational Water Bottle, 64-Ounce, $20
- Pyrex 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup, $15
- BrüMate Era Tumbler, 40-Ounce, $45
- Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler, 40-Ounce, $45
- Hydro Flask Micro Bottle, 6.5-Ounce, $20
- Ayl Flip Top Glass Bottle Set, 33-Ounce, $34 (was $45)
St-Yben Large Motivational Water Bottle, 64-Ounce
Amazon
This is the bottle my dietitian sent to me to consider. It has time-stamped lines with motivational messages designed to help you keep drinking. A go-to option for her patients who struggle to increase water or have a low water intake, this bottle helps people hold themselves accountable, she has found. If it’s 5 p.m. and you’re only a quarter of the way through the bottle, you know you have some work to do!
Pyrex 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup
Amazon
Because I was already drinking a fair amount of water a day, we both felt like maintaining my existing drinking preference was the best way to go. I like to use glassware since I work from home. But, how could I actually know how much water I was drinking? That’s where a measuring cup came in.
I filled my glass, poured it into the Pyrex, and looked at how many ounces I was consuming. Sure, maybe your glasses are new, and you know they hold however many ounces the manufacturer listed, but do you actually fill them to that capacity? Probably not. By using this measuring cup, I was able to get an accurate gauge, and from there, my goal became as simple as counting how many glasses I reach for each day.
BrüMate Era Tumbler, 40-Ounce
Amazon
If I were to buy a reusable bottle to keep track, it’d be this one. I just love the design—the inside is stainless steel for insulation and easy cleaning. The straw is made from stainless steel instead of plastic, which is super rare for a tumbler. The 40-ounce size is big enough to get lots of water in easily, but not so big that I’d feel like I’m dragging a rock around all day, even in my apartment. As a simple gal, I also appreciate its subtle design.
Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler, 40-Ounce
Amazon
Multiple of our editors use this to track their daily water intake. Editorial Director Carolyn Malcoun is tempted to buy multiple, so she always has one waiting in the wings to keep her on track. And Senior Editor Brierley Horton, M.S., RD, absolutely loves hers too. “Somehow, that very trendy tumbler did what years of good intentions couldn’t. Filling it every morning after coffee and aiming to finish it by dinner finally stuck. Suddenly, I was drinking enough water without a second thought,” she noted in a recent article. I trust both of these brilliant women that this method truly works for them, and it might just work for you, too.
Hydro Flask Micro Bottle, 6.5-Ounce
Amazon
I know what you’re thinking: What is a 6.5-ounce water bottle going to do for me? Well, a whole lot. When Hydro Flask launched its Micro Bottle, I blushed because of how cute it was, but I was skeptical. I eventually got one and instantly understood the hype. This is the perfect thing to bring to doctors’ appointments, on dog walks or to any other activity when taking your water bottle isn’t top of mind. It’s so small that it never gets in the way. You can put it right into your bag, pop it in a winter coat pocket (it fits!) or just carry it—it weighs just a little more than my phone. It’s a genius way to squeeze in a few extra ounces here and there!
Ayl Flip-Top Glass Bottle Set, 33-Ounce
Amazon
My dietitian shared another idea with me, which was to keep pre-filled bottles of water in my refrigerator and make sure I finish the designated amount by the end of the day. Simple enough, right? These flip-top bottles add a little glamor to your routine because they feel special, like you’re in a restaurant. You know how many ounces they hold (33, in the case of these ones), so based on your goals, you can pour and refill as needed. Since this set comes with six bottles, there’s plenty to go around, and you can use them for hosting.
