Hints for Hydration
FITNESS & ACTIVITY / WRITTEN BY JESS PIRNAK, RD
Staying well hydrated when it’s hot is definitely a must to prevent dehydration. Fluids help us stay healthy and energized by controlling our body temperature, aiding digestion, carrying nutrients around our bodies and cushioning our organs and joints. Here are my 3 top hydration tips for this summer.
- Nothing satisfies thirst better than a tall glass of cold water. It’s refreshing—and sugar free! Add a slice of lemon, lime, cucumber and mint or frozen berries to make it more refreshing. You can also turn water into a nutritional goldmine by adding chia seeds for extra fibre, protein and heart healthy omega-3s.
- Enjoy a beautiful bowl of local produce. Items like cucumbers, lettuce, celery, radishes, tomatoes, green pepper and watermelon are more than 90 percent water. Snacking on these foods is a terrific (and delicious) way to supplement your water intake. Besides keeping you hydrated, these fruits and vegetables also provide lots of fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
- If you’re still craving something carbonated, grab some kombucha! Kombucha is a cold, fermented tea that can satisfy any pop drinker’s craving for sweet and bubbly beverages. Although it’s made with tea, kombucha is caffeine free because the cultures consume the caffeine during fermentation. Even better is that this fizzy drink is also way lower in sugar than soda pop. It also provides us with gut healthy probiotics, digestive enzymes and B vitamins for energy.
