24 Jul Staying Hydrated in the Texas Heat

Here in Texas, we know that hydration is key to staying healthy. This is especially true in the summer, when we spend more time in the heat and sunshine.

Sarah Scherer (RDN), the Shaklee Pure Performance Team dietitian and nutritionist, does a great job explaining what we need to stay hydrated:

“First off, you need water. For most people, if you don’t need to use the restroom every couple of hours, then you need to drink (or eat—we will get to that in a bit!) more water. The second thing your body needs is electrolytes, which are minerals you need to consume to maximize the benefit of the water you drink. Electrolytes have a key role in telling your cells to use the water you are drinking. Your body won’t use all your water if you don’t pair it with electrolytes. These critical electrolytes are sodium, calcium, potassium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium. They help your nerves and muscles function and have other important body functions as well, for example, getting nutrients to your cells and maintaining your acid/base balance.”

The best way to add those electrolytes is with Shaklee’s Performance® Endurance Electrolyte Drink. I add a scoop to my water bottle before my morning walk. My husband and son-in-law work outside in the Texas heat building homes and they swear by it! The great thing about Shaklee’s Performance® is that the ingredients are super clean and there’s not a bunch of extra sugar.

In addition here are some more  hydration hacks to try.

1. Add a little flavor to your hydration.
   Sometimes the only thing you need to do to make hydration more enjoyable is add some taste. Fruit-infused water and sparkling water are great options. Coconut water is good too, especially since it has electrolytes to help hydrate.
2. Try a water enhancer.
   These are healthy alternatives to the typical sugary sports drinks that’ll help add flavor to your hydration without the extra calories. Try Performance® Low Calorie Electrolyte Drink, an instant elixir that hydrates with coconut water electrolytes.
3. Spice up your ice.
   We all love ice in our water, especially during the summer, so why not dress it up by adding fruit pieces, juice, or coconut water to your ice tray? You can toss these flavored ice cubes in a pitcher of water or use them in your favorite smoothie recipe for a flavorful hydration boost.
4. Hydrate before you sweat.
   If you have some exercise or outdoor activities on your schedule, it’s a good idea to hydrate beforehand. This will help compensate for the fluids you’ll lose while sweating. Also, don’t forget to bring your water bottle!
5. Eat hydrating foods.
   That’s right, what you eat keeps you hydrated too. It’s actually recommended that 20% of our daily water intake come from food like raw fruits and veggies.  Here is a list of hydrating foods that are high in water and electrolytes to help us feel our best all summer:

• Peppers
• Melons
• Coconuts with the water
• Tomatoes
• Strawberries
• Citrus fruits
• Carrots
• Zucchini and squashes
• Lettuces and leafy greens
• Celery
• Yogurt

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The post was adapted from Foods That Keep You Hydrated, which appeared first on Shaklee’s Naturally Blog.