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Moms' health 101: quenching your thirst
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Moms' health 101: Quenching your Thirst
Keeping hydrated in the summertime is of extreme importance. We all know that water and hydration are crucial for proper organ functioning. But just as importantly, if you're a little dehydrated--you may find yourself feeling really tired or even having strange food cravings and yet not realizing why.
So what to drink? Unfortunately, sodas and iced coffees can cause dehydration. So, while they may quench your thirst at the time, in the long run you're not any better off. Here's a list of ideas to put a creative put a twist on your drinks this summer:
Just Water. No joke--just plain water is the best way to beat the heat and stay hydrated. How much is enough? Some say 64 ounces a day, others say it depends on your body weight--experts suggest you take your weight in pounds and divide it in half. You should drink that number in ounces. So if you're 140 lbs, you should drink 70 ounces of water a day. The truth is--if you're thirsty, you're already dehydrated so stay ahead of the game and drink up so you know how much YOU need. Yes, it's bizarre to check the bowl, but if your urine is a clear yellow, then you're in the clear--anything neon going on and you're dehydrated.
"I hate just water"--Sound familiar? Try adding a squeeze of half a lemon or lime (bonus: Vitamin C) and a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger (bonus: ginger has anti- inflammatory compounds and is a natural reliever of stomach upset). But, give just plain water a shot--sometimes you don't even realize how addicting it can be until your body realizes how much it has missed it. Drink 2-3 cups of plain water every day for a week and see what happens.
Juicing. Have a juicer hiding in the closet? Now is the best time to dust it off--try a combination of apple, pear, carrot, and kale (yes, kale!). Then use your imagination (or the recipe booklet that came with your Juiceman) and find out the combos you and your family like best.
Spritzers. 100% juice is delicious, but you can drink up a lot of calories at once if you aren't careful and since there's no fiber in juice, your body doesn't stay satisfied even with all those calories you drank. Try a spritzer--fill a tall glass with ice, then pour the glass 1/2-3/4 full of club soda. Add 4-6 ounces of 100% fruit juice or nectar (mango, orange, strawberry kiwi, or a homemade juice of your choice) and top it off with a fun twist like a cherry, lime wedge, pineapple wedge, etc. You'll get hydrated without drinking up a lot of your calories. Top it off with a twisty straw or a mini-umbrella to make it even more festive.
Homemade "Slushee." Put frozen fruit and club soda in a blender to make a slushy-drink. Experiment with mango, watermelon, or berries. Have kids? Make two or more colors of fruit separately then layer them in a clear glass to make this cool drink even cooler.
Herbal Iced Tea. Choose your favorite tea (try passion fruit, pomegranate, or anything that sounds good to you) and steep a bag in a mug of hot water for a few minutes. Take out the bag and pour it over a big glass of ice and you have a great homemade iced tea. Need a bit of sweetness but don't want a sugar crash? Try agave nectar--found in most health food stores, agave nectar comes from a cactus plant and can be be used like honey. Best part--it has a low glycemic index, so it doesn't cause the same sugar highs and lows as refined white sugar.
What about sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade? Well, they have a lot of sugar and artificial colors, so unless you're an endurance athlete, you really don't "need" them, even in the heat of the summer. And if you are an endurance athlete looking for a natural alternative to these sports drinks, try coconut water plain or sweetened with a splash of your favorite fruit juice. Coconut water has a ton of hydrating electrolytes.
Artificial sweeteners on the mind? They are made from chemicals and our body doesn't recognize them as "real" (which is why their calories don't register). Even though the FDA says they're safe, some medical experts disagree. Artificial sweeteners can cause stomachaches or headaches in some individuals and others say that they can even CAUSE sugar cravings. Stick to small amounts of fruit juice, real honey, or agave nectar instead.
What's your favorite way to quench your thirst in the summer?
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