I had the chance to interview Health expert, Maria Williams on children’s hydration during the school season. She is the founder and CEO of Clean Water Mom. Read on for helpful Back to School Hydration Tips.
How many glasses of water should elementary kids be drinking daily?
Children should follow the same rule as adults for getting adequate amounts of water – take your weight and divide in half. That is the number of ounces per day. So a 60-pound child would drink 30 ounces per day, or about four eight-ounce servings.
How does lack of water aggravate both asthma and allergies?
There have been extensive studies conducted by Dr. F. Batmanghelidj on the effects of dehydration on asthma and allergies. It is his contention that drinking more water will prevent asthma and allergies. Water will do it because of the primary role of histamine in water regulation and drought management of the body,” says Dr. Batmanghelidj in his book You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty
.
Are flavorings ok to add to water?
Natural flavorings such as lemons, limes, oranges, or mint are fine to add to water to kick up the flavor a bit. There are some nice pitcher filters that allow you to insert your fruit right into the pitcher, like the Fruit Infusion Pitcher. The artificial flavorings growing in popularity are just that – artificial. However, if it’s the only way to get your child to drink water, then it’s still a much better alternative to soda.
Do kids need more or less water in cooler weather?
The baseline per day should always be their recommended number of ounces. On very hot days, the amount should be increased to compensate for perspiration. If urine is running clear or close to clear, you can be assured they are drinking enough.
How does water make kids focused and attentive?
Researchers have found children’s school performance dramatically improves when they drink water instead of sodas. Adequate hydration with water is essential to normal brain function. In fact, too much sugar and artificial coloring, whether from soda or candy, is a huge contributor to ADHD. “In short, there is a growing research base that shows that increasing water consumption is good for a student’s health and well-being and can help improve weight and academic performance,” according to waterinschools.org.
