How to Stay Well Hydrated
This week it’s a scorcher! Legitimately blistering hot, when even shade isn’t helping much. And the humidity in Georgia isn’t doing anyone any favors. This morning it was 88F, while it felt like 97F; that just doesn’t feel safe in any way. For the last few days, we took out 2-year-old to burn some energy off, but retreated back inside in mere 10-15 minutes. It’s a rough one!
So let’s talk about hydration and why we need to stay well hydrated, no matter the temperature outside. First and foremost, we consist 2/3s of water, especially our brain, muscle, bones, and blood. Plus a lot of our bodily functions are dependent on the water intake: body temperature, digestion, metabolism, nutrient absorption, detoxification, joint & organ protection, blood pressure, muscle lubrication, skin elasticity, and overall hydration.
So the question is always: “How much water should you be drinking?”
Half your body weight in ounces
Example: If you weigh 160 pounds, then you should be drinking at least 80 ounces of water; that equals to 8 10-ounce glasses of water.
Add more water if you drink coffee, tea, or soda, because all of those are diuretic and actually pull water out of your body, so it needs to be replenished.
You can also add hydrating foods to your diet for more satiety and increased hydration.
Cucumber, celery, carrots, tomatoes
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, apples, citrus (oranges, lemons, grapefruit)
Lettuce, cabbage, spinach
Blueberries, raspberries, cherries, etc.
Coconut water - also great to replenish electrolytes lost when sweating, i.e. exercise, manual labor, childbirth, etc.
Have you ever tried adding fruit or herbs into your water for a taste? Or are you more of a purist?
What are your favorite ways to stay hydrated?
