03 Jun Why Hydrate?
School is out and temperatures are warming up, so it is perfect timing for us to wrap up our nutrition series with the topic of hydration. While you might know that our bodies are made up of about 60% water, are you familiar with all of the amazing things water does for us?
Link to the image below: https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/water-you-what-water-does-your-body
Fun fact: water is adequate for our day to day, but when we’re physically active for more than an hour (ie. bootcamp), an electrolyte replacer before/during/or after workout can be helpful. Additionally, excessive caffeine intake can be detrimental to us because it can act as a diuretic and cause us to lose more fluid.
So how do you know how you’re doing with your hydration? An at-home/DIY urine test is an easy guide to use. Think pale lemonade – light is a good sign, while dark or cloudy can indicate you have some water drinking to do. Here are 6 tips for healthy hydration.
More hydration resources:
- Practical ways to monitor hydration are: urine color and sweat loss
- Be alert for conditions that increase your fluid loss through sweat.
- Know the signs of dehydration.
- Replace fluids during exercise to promote adequate hydration.
8 Ways to Stay Hydrated Besides Drinking Water
- Eat fruit, limit alcoholic beverages and enjoy cold soup.
- Drinking water is important, but to stay hydrated you can include a diverse group of water-rich vegetables, fruits and dairy products in your meal plan.
Knowledge is power, so take a moment to browse through the resources above to prepare yourself for an outdoorsy, hot summer. Cheers!
By Victoria Emmitt RD
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