Staying hydrated and refreshed through the day is essential for our health and well-being. As part of any healthy lifestyle, drinking water during a meal is a big factor in a healthy eating routine. But just how much water should you drink during a meal? 

Recommended daily fluid intake

It’s long been known that we should all drink a good amount of water every day to keep us hydrated and for our bodies to function properly and healthily. The NHS Eat Well guide recommends 6-8 glasses of fluid a day – roughly two litres – but this also includes other fluids. While water might be the most obvious fluid for you to drink, you can always include low-fat milk, sugar-free drinks, and tea or coffee, too.

Of course, fluids aren’t the only thing that can boost hydration. Having a healthy diet with foods with high water content, including cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries, can also help. But whatever we do during the day, we lose fluids all the time – whether that’s through sweat, going to the loo, or even just breathing! So breaking through the two-litre barrier is great for your health.

How much water should you drink during a meal?

Water plays a vital role in our digestion, which is why drinking water during your main meal is so important. With every sip, water helps break down the food we eat, move it smoothly through our digestive system, and deliver its essential nutrients. Beyond that, it can also help prevent constipation while topping up our bodily fluids.

So how much water should you drink during a meal? Like many things, it’s good to find a balance. As a rule, around 250ml (like a tall glass of water) should be fine to help smooth digestion. But much can depend on the type of food you’re eating. High water content foods mean you could drink less additional water, while salty, rich, or heavy foods may mean drinking a little more.

The practicalities of drinking water

While we’ve established that water is ideal for drinking during a meal, it’s not a hard and fast rule, and other fluids are available! If plain water isn't your first choice, you can always choose diluted squash, water flavoured with a slice of orange or lemon for a refreshing twist, or even drink hot water with a meal. But whatever you’re drinking, the most sensible thing is to listen to your body.

Pay attention to how thirsty you actually are and modify your intake if you want or need to. If you’re eating any of those particularly salty or rich foods, drink a little more, but don’t over-drink. And don’t forget to sip your water during your meal rather than gulping it down to avoid feeling bloated.

Drink Thirsty Work water during your meal

If you prefer drinking water during a meal but don’t particularly like the taste of your tap water, Thirsty Work has the answer. With a full range of freestanding or countertop bottled water coolers and mains fed water coolers, we can give your water a crisp, pure-filtered taste whether you like it chilled, ambient, or hot.

To find out more about our water coolers, service packages, and deliveries, get a free quote, or start your free, no-obligation, 10-day trial, call our team on 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com today and make your mealtime drink the purest water you can get.