Common Signs of Dehydration:

Hungry after eating
Dry lips/mouth
Bladder pain
Anxiety
Kidney problems
Yellow urine
Excessive thirstiness
Constipation

These are just some of the most common signs you may not be drinking enough water, and most people don’t realize they need more liquids until they’re way past the point of being dehydrated. So, the best way to stay on top of your hydration needs is to find ways to consume more liquids and water-rich foods throughout the day.

Taking in enough fluids can help lower cortisol in the body, prevent false hunger signals, keep your bladder healthy, ensure your kidneys filter toxins as they should, and your lips should stay moist and supple. You may also notice you have less headaches throughout the day and are more energetic. Your kidneys shouldn’t cause issues for you when you consume enough water, and you may even have a flatter tummy since your body can filter wastes more effectively. Drinking enough water is a great place to start when you want to start hydrating more effectively, but you can also consume more water-rich foods too.

8 ways to increase your water intake throughout the day:

Drink a healthy smoothie using USDA Certified Organic fruit and veggies for breakfast. Having a smoothie is also a great way to get in some water and fiber from your ingredients. Fiber helps hold water in the body and also uses the water to keep you regular.
Consume a salad or soup with your lunch. You can turn them into your main meal if you wish, but even if you don’t have a salad or soup as the main star of your meal, at least consume a small side of one of them. Make sure you don’t have a lot of sodium in the soup or in the dressing. Salt depletes the body from water more quickly. Use water rich foods in your salad and soup like squash, cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, greens, tomatoes, etc.
Have at least two pieces of fruit per day. Most fruits are 90 percent water and they will help stabilize your electrolytes. They’re also a good source of fiber and will satisfy your sweet tooth.
Avoid take-out and processed meals which are packed with sodium and not much water. They dry out the system and can increase levels of dehydration more quickly (not to mention causing bloating).
Eat less sugar and eat more fiber. Sugar can put excessive strain on the kidneys while fiber slows down blood sugar levels and holds water in the body. This one tip may even help you lose a little weight!
Aim to eat produce with every meal. It’s a natural source of water and an easy way to work some into your day.
Drink herbal tea throughout the day if you get tired of water, or have a few cups after dinner or in place of coffee in the morning.
Use an app on your phone to notify you to drink a glass of water every single hour or every hour and a half. You can use your alerts and there are other special apps catered to drinking more water.

You may be surprised at how much better you feel after you incorporate these ways to stay hydrated besides drinking water.