Your doctor will tell you how much fluid you should be taking in every
day. Recommendations may range from about
1500 mL (1.6 qt) to
2000 mL (2 qt), or about
48 fl oz (1420 mL) to
64 fl oz (1893 mL) a day. Here
are the amounts of fluid in some common equivalent household measures:
Fluid equivalents| Household measure | Equivalent fluid ounces | Equivalent milliliters (mL) |
|---|
| 1 tablespoon of fluid | ½ fluid ounce | 15 mL |
| ½ cup of fluid | 4 fluid ounces | About 120 mL |
| 1 cup of fluid | 8 fluid ounces | About 250 mL |
| 1 quart of fluid | 32 fluid ounces | About 1,000 mL (1 liter) |
It is important to know how much fluid your regular
drinking glasses hold. You can find out by filling your drinking glass with
water and then measuring the amount in a measuring cup. After you know this, you
won't have to measure every time.
Besides water, milk, juices, and
other beverages, some foods contain a lot of fluid. Any foods that will melt
(such as ice cream, gelatin, or flavored ice treats) or foods that have a lot
of liquid (such as soup) should also be measured and counted as part of your
fluid intake.
How to keep track of your fluid intake
One method for keeping track of your fluid intake is
to have an empty container that holds the amount of fluid you are allowed for
the day. As you drink fluids, put an equal amount of water into the container
until you reach your fluid limit. When the container is full, you have reached
your fluid limit and should stop drinking.
Another method for
keeping track of your fluid intake is to allow yourself
8 fl oz (1 cup) of fluid at each meal [3 x
8 fl oz =
24 fl oz, or
3 cup]. You can then fill a container with
water to keep in your refrigerator that contains the balance of your fluid
allowance. For example, if you are allowed
48 fl oz (6 cup) of fluid a day, you could have
24 fl oz (3 cup) divided into three meals and then another
24 fl oz (3 cup) in the refrigerator to drink during the day. If you drink other
beverages besides water (such as coffee, juice, or soft drinks), then you would
need to pour out an equal amount of water from your container in the
refrigerator.
Test Your Knowledge
To keep track of your fluid intake, you
should:
- Estimate how much you drink during the
day.
This answer is incorrect.To keep track of your fluid intake, estimating how much you drink during the day isn't enough. It is important to carefully
measure the amount of any fluids you drink as well as the fluid in foods, such
as ice cream, gelatin, flavored ice treats, and soup. Estimating fluid intake
can be very inaccurate.
- Keep track of only the water you drink.
This answer is incorrect.To keep track of your fluid intake, keeping track of only the water you drink isn't enough. It is important to measure the
amount of any fluids you drink as well as the fluid in foods, such as ice
cream, gelatin, flavored ice treats, and soup.
- Measure all beverages and all foods that have a lot of
fluid in them.
This answer is correct.To keep track of your fluid intake, you should
measure all beverages and all foods that have a lot of fluid in them. It is
important to measure the amount of any fluids you drink as well as the fluid in
foods, such as ice cream, gelatin, flavored ice treats, and soup.
- Drink only at meals.
This answer is incorrect.To keep track of your fluid intake, drinking only at meals won't help. It is important to measure the amount of any fluids
you drink as well as the fluid in foods, such as ice cream, gelatin, flavored
ice treats, and soup.
Which is equal to 1 fluid quart?
- 8 fluid ounces
This answer is incorrect.Eight fluid ounces isn't equal to 1 quart.
Thirty-two fluid ounces is 1 quart. It is important to measure fluids and to
know how much fluid your glasses hold.
- About 15 milliliters, or ½ fluid ounce
This answer is incorrect.About 15 milliliters, or ½ fluid ounce, isn't equal to 1 quart. One liter is about 1 quart. It is important to measure
fluids and to know how much fluid your glasses hold.
- About 1 liter, or 32 fluid ounces
This answer is correct.One liter is about equal to 1 quart, or 32 fluid ounces.
It is important to measure fluids and to know how much fluid your glasses
hold.
- About 125 milliliters, or 4 fluid ounces
This answer is incorrect.About 125 milliliters isn't equal to 1 quart.
Thirty-two fluid ounces is 1 quart. It is important to measure fluids and to
know how much fluid your glasses hold.
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