Counting the Amount of Fluid in Your Diet
How much can I drink in a day?
It is recommended that you have ______________milliliters (mL) of liquid each day.
What do I count as fluid?
You will want to account for anything that you drink. Any food that you eat that becomes liquid at body temperature must also be counted.
How do I measure what I am drinking or eating?
This table will help you convert the fluids that you are drinking into milliliters (mL).
1 tablespoon or ½ ounce |
15 mL |
1/8 cup or 1 ounce |
30 mL |
¼ cup or 2 ounces |
60 mL |
½ cup or 4 ounces |
120 mL |
1 cup or 8 ounces |
240 mL |
12 ounce can of soda |
360 mL |
1 liter |
1000 mL |
1 quart |
1060 mL |
Water, fruit juices, milk, decaffeinated coffee, decaffeinated tea, herbal decaffeinated tea, or caffeine free sodas are great sources of the fluid that you need. Caffeine and alcohol can have a mild diuretic effect. Limit the alcohol and caffeine in your diet. These beverages can be counted toward your fluid total. Talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian if you have questions about caffeine.
This table will help you account for foods that count as liquid.
Food |
Amount |
mL |
Ice cube |
1 cube |
20 mL |
Fruit juice |
4 ounces or ½ cup |
120 mL |
Soda with ice |
8 ounce glass |
270 mL |
Creamer |
3/8 ounce |
11 mL |
Milk, Lactaid Milk, soy milk, rice milk, almond milk |
8 ounces or 1 cup |
240 mL |
Ice cream |
4 ounces or ½ cup |
80 mL |
Milk shake |
1 glass or 5 ounces |
190 mL |
Yogurt |
6 ounces |
180 mL |
Pudding |
½ cup |
100 mL |
Jello®, plain |
½ cup |
90 mL |
Popsicle |
1 twin bar |
90 mL |
Sherbet |
½ cup |
75 mL |
Sorbet |
½ cup |
75 mL |
Italian fruit ice |
4 ounce cup |
80 mL |
High protein shake |
1 cup |
240 mL |
Soup with vegetables, rice, pasta |
6 ounces |
100 mL |
Creamed soup |
6 ounces |
180 mL |
Clear broth |
6 ounces |
180 mL |
Yogurt |
6 ounces |
180 mL |
Watermelon |
1 cup |
210 mL |
| Kool-aid® | 8 ounces or 1 cup | 240 mL |
| Thickened milk | Pre-packaged | 236 mL |
| Thickened juice | Pre-packaged | 118 mL |
Ice cream Sandwich |
1 |
80 mL |
You might find it helpful to write down what you are eating and drinking and keep a running total for the day.
If you are a patient of UW Health and have more questions please contact UW Health at one of the phone numbers listed below.
Nutrition Clinic Room L33 University Station 2880 University Avenue Madison, WI 53705 (608) 263-5012 (608) 263-4360 appts |
Nutrition Clinic Room 1296 UW Health West Clinic 451 Junction Road Madison, WI 53717 (608) 265-7526 (608) 262-9181 appts |
Nutrition Clinic Room 2106 UW Health East Clinic 5249 East Terrace Drive Madison, WI 53718 (608) 265-0963 (608) 265-7405 appts |
American Family Children’s Hospital, 1675 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792 (608) 263-6420 Appointments |
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 08/28/2012
Copyright © 08/03/2012 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#475
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