Water works

Water is the wonder-ingredient that can do no wrong. The problem is that it's just a bit boring - and it makes you pee. iVillagers on the diet boards have some tips for livening things up

Everyone knows we should drink plenty of water: it helps flush toxins out of the body and keeps your skin and insides healthy. The ideal amount seems to vary from eight glasses to three litres and the first thing to be established is whether only pure water counts towards your daily allowance, or if other liquids do the same job. Nutritionist Dr Wynnie Chan explains that the basic point is to drink enough to replace what is lost, which in a temperate climate is 1.5 to 2 litres a day. She goes on to say that any fluid, even tea and coffee, can count towards this goal: 'It is not necessary to drink 'pure' water, but it is a good choice.'

Some iVillagers, however, are not so lenient. tracibroom 'strongly disagrees that coffee and tea should contribute towards the 2 litres of water you should be drinking a each day.' She relents slightly, though, and suggests that if you really can't face that much plain water, 'you should keep the fluids you do drink as clear/pale as possible-this way the kidneys have less work to filter out impurities'.

Refreshing flavoured teas

If you allow yourself a break from the monotony of straight water, there are some excellent alternatives that could make the re-hydrating business more interesting. loum2001 suggests cooled-down fruit tea, which is 'caffeine free and has no artificial additives'.

Flavoured teas are a favourite with lots of the board members. lolly78 finds that peppermint tea is 'the only answer for me. It tastes great, is refreshing and relaxing and just as good as a glass of water. It helps to vary it a bit!' Meanwhile, iVillager themuncher passed on some good advice from her Weight Watcher's leader, who recommended 'low calorie flavoured water e.g. Perfectly Clear. Tesco had it on special offer (half price) for ages and I bought gallons of it. It tastes really nice too.' These options may not be quite as effective as water for flushing out the system but, as themuncher says, 'I think it must be almost as good, and I find it quenches my thirst a lot more too.'

iVillager aniya agrees that flavoured water does taste better, but 'it's probably what is added to it that makes the difference, whereas pure water has no calories.' So if you're feeling puritanical about your fluid intake, here's some ideas for making sure you get your daily dose of H2O.