Staying hydrated in the summer months can sometimes be challenging when playing sports and exercising outside. There are some things you can do to stay on top of your hydration and prevent dehydration.
Hydrating is putting fluids back into your body that you have lost through sweat. Electrolytes are also lost in sweat. Both can be replaced using a sports drink, coconut water, or potassium water. There are many different types of sports drinks. There is no one perfect electrolyte drink that works for every single person. You will have to experiment and try different varieties to see which ones will work best for you. Different types have contrasting acidic or alkaline ratios that can react differently in each person’s digestive system. Another benefit of using sports drinks is that they can count toward your carbohydrate intake if you need to take in calories during your workout session.
Hydration doesn’t always have to take the form of liquids. There are many fruits such as grapes, watermelons, and oranges that have a high-water content that also provide hydration. Some raw vegetables such as cucumbers, celery, and tomatoes also have high-water contents. Snacking on these healthy fruits and vegetables throughout the day instead of chips or crackers can help make sure you stay hydrated.
On hot summer days, use fruit puree or your favorite sports drink to make popsicles! You can use any popsicle mold to make these hydrating treats. Simply add your fruit puree into the popsicle mold or pour your sports drink or coconut water into the molds and freeze. You can also use ice tray molds to make ice out of your sports drink and then use those to pour your sports drink over. You don’t have to worry about it tasting watered down as the ice melts. You can also crush ice in a blender with fruit or sports drink to make a slushy drink or shaved ice treat.
Staying hydrated is a top priority for health trainer jobs in the summer months. Taking in hydration doesn’t have to be a boring water bottle. Have fun with it and experiment with other options to see which ones work best for you. If hydration is still a challenge, reach out to the gym personal trainers that have a background in sports nutrition. They can help you make modifications to your diet and exercise plans to ensure that you stay hydrated.
Interested in getting certified as a Sports Nutritionist? Click the link below to see all of the online certifications ASFA has to offer! 24/7 convenience, pay only if you pass!
