When it comes to staying hydrated, not everyone finds plain water appealing. If you're someone who finds drinking water all day a bit boring or even unpleasant, you're not alone. Here are some creative and tasty alternatives to help keep you hydrated without relying solely on plain water:

1. Dilute or Lightly Flavor Water
- Mix water with Gatorade in a 50:50 ratio or add a splash of Propel.
- Use Mio liquid flavoring or similar low-cost options like Walmart's flavor packets in flavors like Blackberry Lemonade or Cherry-Pomegranate.
- Infuse your water with fresh fruits and herbs such as lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, watermelon, cucumber, mint, gingerroot, or berries. A drop of culinary mint oil can also enhance the aroma and taste.
- Keep your water very cold or add plenty of ice to make it more enjoyable.

2. Low- or Zero-Sugar Sports & Electrolyte Drinks
- Try Gatorade Zero or powdered Gatorade in flavors like Lime, Orange, or Frost.
- Consider no-sugar options like Powerade, GFit, Body Armor Lyte, Splash Electrolyte Water, or low-sugar ginger ale.
- Pedialyte or Pedialyte for Adults offers higher electrolytes, though it can be more expensive and the taste might take some getting used to.

3. Powdered Hydration Concentrates
- Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier packets come in flavors like Lemon-Lime, Strawberry, and Passion Fruit. They contain about 500 mg of sodium and half the sugar of Gatorade, claiming to provide 2-3 times more hydration than water. They can be pricey, so consider trying single packets first to see if you like the flavor.

4. Broths & Stocks
- Use no-sodium chicken stock or broth and add your own salt and pepper to meet your sodium needs.
- Homemade no-sugar, no-salt vegetable or bone broths can also be a good option.

5. Herbal & Specialty Teas (Hot or Iced)
- Enjoy teas like peppermint, Moroccan mint, chamomile, hibiscus (which is slightly tart and can be sweetened with organic agave if desired), green teas, or chocolate-flavored herbal teas.
- Plain hot water might become more palatable over time.

6. Naturally Hydrating Foods & Other Liquids
- Coconut water is a good option, but be mindful of the sugar content.
- Foods with high water content like oatmeal, cucumbers, salads, smoothies, and jicama can help with hydration.
- Try water flavored with cucumber and mint or a "detox" mix of mint, lemon, and ginger.

7. Practical Hydration Tips
- Sip fluids continuously throughout the day. Some people aim to drink a glass of fluid every time they empty their pouch.
- If you have an ileostomy or urostomy, or if you're borderline hyponatremic, you might need added sodium and electrolytes, so choose your drinks accordingly.
- Keep an eye on the sugar content in flavor packets and commercial drinks.
- If you experience persistent excessive thirst, consider consulting a physician to rule out diabetes.
- Staying hydrated is important for kidney function. One person shared that their kidney capacity dropped significantly before they started a strict hydration routine.