Q&A - Week of October 20, 2025

Question: How much water should I be drinking, and does coffee count?

Answer: NHS guidelines suggest aiming for around 1-5-2 litres, or 6–8 glasses, of water per day. However, the exact amount each person needs can vary depending on factors like body size, activity level, and climate.

While coffee and other caffeinated drinks do contribute to your daily fluid intake, they shouldn’t replace water as your main source of hydration. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of plain water throughout the day.

You can learn more about hydration in this video from the Nutrition, Shift Your Mindset Collection: More Than Just Water – Mastering Hydration for Real Results

Q&A - Week of July 21, 2025

Question: How much milk should I be drinking in a day?

Answer: A splash of milk in tea or coffee is absolutely fine, as is milk used in cooking. In addition to that, aim for no more than one glass of milk or one milky coffee (like a latte or cappuccino) a day. This helps keep your intake balanced and supports your progress with weight loss, especially if you're also including other dairy or milk alternatives throughout the day.

Question: Can I plan an after dinner healthy snack to have directly after my dinner? So more about meeting the ‘want’ over the ‘need’. I’m thinking of fruit & Greek Yoghurt or crackers & cheese.

Answer: It’s absolutely fine to plan an after-dinner snack, especially if it helps you feel more satisfied and avoid mindless picking later. Before reaching for it, take a moment to check in with your hunger and fullness cues: “Am I actually still hungry, or is this more about habit, comfort, or a craving?”

If you're genuinely hungry, something like fruit with Greek yoghurt or a small portion of crackers and cheese can be a great, balanced choice. But if it’s more of a want than a need, it can be helpful to explore other ways to meet that emotional need - like journaling, a short walk, a cup of herbal tea, or even some gentle breathing or meditation.

Noticing the difference between physical hunger and emotional hunger is a powerful part of long-term change. See the Shift Your Mindset training on Hunger & Fullness here. 

Question: Does your body get used to drinking more water? I feel so bloated and need to go to the toilet really frequently if I drink 2l of water.

Answer: Yes, your body does typically adapt over time. It’s completely normal to feel bloated and need to use the toilet more frequently when you first increase your water intake. However, this usually settles as your body adjusts. If it feels more manageable, you can gradually increase your intake rather than jumping straight to 2 litres.