I never knew . . .

. . . how much liquid it is possible to drink!

With hot season gearing up to it's full-force-May, I am consuming ~5L of water per day! Slightly less if I stay in with a fan during the day, definitely more if I am out and about in the heat.

This on top of all other liquid consumption:

• 1-2 cups of coffee in the morning
• occasional juice
• occasional pop at a restaurant
• oh - and of course the 2 milkshakes at the American Rec Centre on Saturday

Yes . . . 2! I make no apologies - it's hot here!!

One thing I've never quite kept on top of is the current and changing recommendation of liquid consumption. I get the 8 cups per day thing; but is it:

• 2 cups of water for each cup of coffe or just a 1-1 ratio?
• does this include caffeinated pop like coke or pepsi?

(Side Note: Yes, I can get Pepsi now! WooHoo!!! One restaurant and One store have discovered the land of existence beyond coke!)

• does non-caffeinated pop - like Fanta Orange or Strawberry (similar to Cream Soda) count as coffee or as juice?
• speaking of juice - is this still part of the 8 cups necessary or out again?

See? Too much to keep straight! BUT . . .

I've finally decided that while I live in Niger, it doesn't really matter.

At 5L per day, I've certainly balanced my caffeine and juice to water. I am also sure that I've met and exceeded the 4 of 5 doctors recommended 8 cups daily. And I've likely also even satisfied the recommendation of the mysterious, elusive and somewhat controversial 5th!

Sadly though, the peak of hot season is still coming.

sigh

So, I still don't really know yet how much liquid it is possible to consume . . . I'll keep you posted!