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True or False: You can let thirst be your guide for getting in fluids.


True or False: You can let thirst be your guide for getting in fluids.
False. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Sometimes we think we are hungry when it’s really thirst that is getting your attention. Water is the most essential nutrient humans need, meaning you can’t go very long without enough water. Water helps regulate body temperature, keeps blood volume up to transport nutrients into cells, allows waste products to be excreted, keeps blood pressure in healthier ranges, aids with digestion, helps prevent fatigue and keeps your mental function in good order.
Unless you take a diuretic (water pill), you can use your urine color to evaluate hydration. If your urine color is clear or pale yellow, you are hydrated. After surgery, it’s a real struggle to get in enough water. Looking for all sources of water is important after surgery. Keeping a water bottle with you at all times is an important strategy to keep hydrated.
You can count fluids that don’t have caffeine, calories or carbonation towards your water intake. The no-calorie flavor powders and drops can be used if plain water gets boring. All those protein drinks you have contain mostly water. Count 80 percent of your protein drinks as water. Clear liquids count as well. Clear liquids include broth, sugar free gelatin and sugar free popsicles you focus on during the clear liquid diet phases before and after surgery.
You have a limited stomach pouch after surgery. This means your foods and fluids after surgery have to become nutrient dense, which means you need to pack in a lot of nutrition in a small volume. Hydration is a habit of very high importance. Remember, if you think you are hungry, it might be hydration that needs to be handled.