Staying hydrated is important, especially for the little ones.
How much water do children need to drink daily? There is no hard and fast rule as to know how much water you need to consume but most health experts recommend an average of eight glasses a day.
“Hydration is particularly important for children as they need more water during the day for many reasons among which are their fast growth rate, higher water percentage of their body, and being generally more active than adults,” said Dr. Carla Habib Mourad, clinical and community nutritionist and Nutritional Behavior Change Expert for Nestlé for Healthier Kids.
“Children usually don’t ask for water as the first option when they are thirsty, and parents need to make it available and fun for them to ask for,” said Joumana Al-Dabbagh, nutrition specialist at Nestlé Middle East.
Here are some handy tips for keeping children’s hydration levels topped up while they have some fun in the sun:
• Make water your child’s first choice. Provide other beverages such as fresh fruit juices in moderation to avoid the empty calories and extra sugar that could lead to tooth decay.
• Try adding slices of fruits such as lemon or orange to water or freeze fruits like berries in ice cubes for a chilled infusion.
• Let your kids choose their own drink bottle or serve water in colorful glasses or jugs.
• Offer your child fruits and vegetables that have a high water content, such as cucumber, tomato, watermelon and strawberries.
• Remind your child to drink water before, after and during physical activity. The goal is to drink a half cup to two cups of water every 20 minutes while exercising even if your child claims they are not thirsty.
• Nestlé for Healthier Kids’ “Tummyfish” app encourages children to drink more water in a fun way. The app features a fish swimming in a child’s tummy that becomes happier and more vigorous when water is chosen over unhealthy drinks.
