How Much Water Do You Need?

Why it’s so hard to get a clear number

Let’s start with the 8x8 rule. It’s been around forever and says to drink 8 glasses of water, 8 ounces each, every day. Simple, easy to remember, and based on zero science. None. In fact, spend long enough time researching and you’ll find rules saying to drink anywhere from 32 to 124 ounces a day.

The challenge is that the water you need depends on a lot of factors, like:

• Activity level. The more active you are, the more you sweat, the more you have to drink.
• Health. Have a fever? Throwing up? Drink more. Heart, liver, or kidney disease? Probably less — check with your doctor.
• Metabolism. That’s your body’s process for turning food into energy. Bodies with a faster metabolism require more water. 
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. When you're drinking for two (at least), you need more water.
• Temperature. Higher temperatures mean higher water intake.
• Weight. Water is critical to so many things your body does. It makes sense then that a 200-pound body has to take in more water than a 150-pound body.

Forget the rules. Listen to your body.

Here’s the good news: your body is really good at telling you when you’re thirsty. Listen to it, drink when it says to, and keep an eye on your pee. Is it clear or pale yellow? You’re good. Dark? Strong odor? Up your water intake. That’s about as simple as it gets.

But I’m a numbers person

Fair enough. Here’s the rule we like. Take your weight in pounds and cut in half — that’s how many ounces of water to drink each day. So if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of water. Drink it throughout the day to keep your body at an even level.

Here’s the key. Use that number as a starting point. Do it for a few days and see how you feel. Check your pee color and adjust accordingly.

What counts as water?

That’s not a trick question. Some foods are loaded with water, like watermelon, peaches, oranges, cucumbers, lettuce, zucchini, celery, and plain yogurt. That can account for as much as 20% of your water intake. So if you’re shooting for 100 ounces, you can knock out 20 of them with food.

Your other drinks count too. Just try to keep them healthy. Instead of juice, add slices of lemon, cucumber, or berries to your water. Swap in sparkling water for soda. Drink kombucha in place of an energy drink or black coffee instead of a mocha latte.

Yes, coffee really counts

For some people, caffeine means more trips to the restroom. But you’d have to drink at least 5 cups of coffee a day for it to really affect your water needs. Short story: coffee and tea count. If they make you pee, drink a little more water.

What happens when you don’t get enough water?

Throughout the day, you lose water through sweat, going to the bathroom, and plain old breathing. When you lose more water than you take in, it’s called dehydration. You might not notice the impact, but being just a little short on water can make a difference in your energy level and mental sharpness.

Symptoms of more serious dehydration include:

• Constipation
• Crankiness or anxiousness
• Dark-colored urine
• Dry mouth, skin, and lips
• Feeling tired or weak
• Fever
• Headache, dizziness, or confusion
• Heat intolerance
• Rapid heart rate

Can you get too much water?

With certain health conditions, like chronic kidney disease or congestive heart failure, you need to watch your water more closely. In those cases, your doctor might tell you to drink less water than average.

If you’re generally in good health though, it’s really hard to get too much water. Be sure to talk with your doctor to find out what a healthy water intake looks like for you.

Your Firefly care team is here to help

If you need support with healthier eating, your care team is ready and waiting! Book a visit today or speak with your health guide to get personalized tips. Not a member yet? Get started by signing up, or calling us at (855) 869-9284 to see if our continuous, coordinated care model is right for you.