I know a lot about nutrition and skin care, but I'll make a confession here: I have a weakness for Coca-Cola. However, I know better than to drink it every day or even several times a week. Like soda in general, Coca-Cola has a high amount of sugar in it and if I drink it too often (replacing the water I should be drinking), I can see the results in my face and on the scale. So Coke becomes a once-a-week treat for me.

The rest of the time, I'm guzzling water and sometimes juice. Juice can also have a high amount of sugar, so even when companies try to pass off their brands as "healthy," you really have to read the nutrition labels to see what you're drinking. Many of us take in empty calories without realizing it because instead of eating them, we're drinking them.

Water is the best beverage for your body, but it took me a while to appreciate the taste of "naked water." I know many people feel the same way, so I'm going to share some tips to hopefully get you up to a minimum of eight glasses a day.



1. Pack it in the morning. If you sit at a desk all day and don't want to get up for water every hour, try using a plastic beverage bottle. Some models carry a day's requirement of liquid, so toss in some ice cubes to keep your water cool all day long.

2. Flavor it. You can add a splash of lemon for taste without loading on calories. Or, for minimal calories and maximum flavor, try Crystal Light On The Go. These small take-along packets can fit in your purse and come in flavors like orange, raspberry, or peach tea, just to name a few. For 5 little calories, you can have a full-flavor drink that you may find more appealing than naked water.

3. Mix it. What I do sometimes when I'm craving something sweet, is to mix 1/2 water, 1/2 juice. I can still satisfy my sweet tooth, but at half the calories of a full cup of juice.

4. Drink it warm. Some people actually prefer room temperature water. If ice-cold water doesn't appeal to you, try drinking it at a warmer temperature.

Try one or all of these tips and see if it helps make water more yummy for you.

'Til next time, my pretties.