Managing to drink 2 litres of water a day can feel like running a marathon for some people. Unfortunately, your triple shot caramel macchiato or red bull doesn’t count towards the golden goal! There are some drinks that will, however. Green tea, black tea and oolong tea are all super ways of adding towards that water count as long as there’s no nasty sugar surprises inside.

Fruit water

Everyone knows persuading children to drink water can be a real headache. Supermarket drink aisles are packed to the rafters with sugary energy drinks and so-called “fruit water”, making the task even harder. Fruit water sold in shops is actually laden with sugars and sweeteners, and contains very little fruit. With as much as 13g per drink of sugar in some of the branded fruit drinks, it’s no wonder that people are looking elsewhere for child-friendly water alternatives.

Adding fruit to water

Drinking hot water with lemon in the morning is great if you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle. It gives your body a guilt-free boost in the morning. It’s not a strategy confined to lemons – there are lots of other fruits you can add to water without overdoing the sugar. Adding fresh fruit to water will keep you hydrated and give you some additional minerals and vitamins. Don’t confuse this with fruit infusions though. These rely on preparation and time, and we’ll touch on them in a later post.

The real question is – can you add any fruit to water?

Ten fruits to add To drinking water

According to food blogger Stephanie Saunders, “you can add tons of different fruits, veggies, and herbs to make water taste better”. Here are some ideas we think you might like.

1. Blueberries; a superfood is packed with antioxidants and there’s no preparation required. Simply open the packet, rinse, and pop into your water.
2. Apples; what’s great about this fruit is the all year round availability and the vast range of different types. So simply slice up your favourite brand and enjoy the fresh, clean taste of apple water.
3. Oranges; not only do oranges give a huge burst of flavour but the flavanoids and vitamin C contain beneficial properties for certain ailments
4. Pears; these aren’t the first fruit that springs to mind when looking at water flavourings but pears are a source of fast glucose absorption, adding a spring in your step as well as hydration in your system.
5. Grapefruit; the sharpness of the fruit will waken the body as well as help flush out toxins. It is also regularly recommended to those trying to lose weight.
6. Strawberries; always a favourite and not just because of the taste. The chemical compound in strawberries contains high levels of phenols, producing ever popular anti aging antioxidants.
7. Kiwi; you can choose to either peel or leave the skin on but either way these fruits are packed with actinidin, an enzyme that gives your skin a clear, natural glow.
8. Raspberries; often an underestimated fruit and constantly overshadowed by the sweeter strawberry, raspberries are packed full of fibre and flavour.
9. Watermelon; loaded with vitamins and packed with distinctive taste, this fruit really does offer a summer sensation.
10. Grapes; not to be confused with that other grape infused drink, grape water is another effective way of imbibing antioxidants. Adding grapes when you make ice offers a welcome addition to any drink in the summer.

As well as individual fruits there are some amazing fruit partnerships that can add even more weight to your water. Try out some fruit combinations to determine your own favourite!

Keep reading our blog for more ideas on how to enjoy your drinking water.