The hottest months of summer are upon us, and everyone is looking for a way to beat the heat. If you´re like me, the mere thought of the heat index has you reaching for a cool glass of water. But if you usually quench your thirst with the help of a one-time-use water bottle, trust me, there´s a better way.
Plastic water bottles may be sold on every street corner, but the convenience isn´t worth the potential damage they can cause your health and the environment. These are often referred to as PET bottles, not because they should be man´s best friend, but because they contain polyethylene terephthalate. The durability of this component makes it difficult for the plastic to degrade, a big negative for the environment in which we live. You may be thinking “Sure, I buy plastic water bottles, but I never throw them out after just one use.” But did you know that reuse of this kind of plastic causes it to leach DEHP, a possible carcinogen? Not exactly a risk I´m willing to take.
A better choice is a durable, reusable plastic water bottle. However, many of these polycarbonate bottles contain Bisphenol A, another leachable compound, so make sure your bottle clearly states that it is BPA Free. In this category, I prefer the high-quality bottles made by Camelbak.
The clear winner for a better bottle of water is stainless steel. There are also aluminum water bottles on the market, but I recommend stainless steel as the best option to get your daily dose of water. These bottles do not contain the harmful characteristics of most plastics and can last for a long time.
A quality water bottle may cost a little bit of money up front, but the investment in your health and in the environment is well worth it. Think about it: purchasing one plastic water bottle daily at a low price of $1 per bottle would cost you $365 a year! Find fun styles of stainless steel water bottles to fit your personality and lifestyle.
While the risk for dehydration is elevated in the summer months, it is not something to be ignored when the sun isn´t beating down. Water bottles can serve as a constant reminder to stay hydrated no matter where you are. As America´s Nutrition Expert and the dietitian for two professional sports teams, I travel on a regular basis. A stainless steel water bottle is the perfect accessory for my on-the-go lifestyle both as a professional and as a mom!
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