By Rebecca Jones
With summer quickly approaching it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated. Whether you just came from the gym or from a long day at the beach it’s essential that you replace the fluids you sweat out during the day. Unfortunately sometimes water just doesn’t satiate the way you hope it will so the next time you need to replenish try some of these surprising water alternatives.
Popsicles
Nothing says summer like an orange flavored twin pop. Popsicles will not only hydrate you they will also cool you down and give you a quick burst of energy so be sure to keep your freezer stocked this season. For a healthier treat try making your own popsicles out of fresh juice or a low calorie sports drink.
V8
If you need something that will help you go the distance V8 has all the essential ingredients to keep you moving. It has just enough calories, carbs and sodium to make it the perfect drink for long hikes or bike rides.
Milk
We all know milk does a body good but did you know that milk is just as if not more hydrating than your average sports drink? Milk contains the perfect amount of sodium, protein and carbs to get you through a tough work out not to mention calcium for bone health and antioxidants. For maximum hydration stick to skim milk it’s easy for your body to absorb making hydration faster and more efficient.
Watermelon
92% of this summer staple is pure H20 so it’s a great way to satisfy a sweet tooth and stay hydrated when the weather turns hot. Pack a few slices for a refreshing picnic snack or serve as a readymade dessert and not only will you get the liquid benefits but you will get energy supplying carbs and potassium as well.
Lettuce
Lettuce is 90% water so ordering a salad is a great way to work a little more liquid into your diet. Not only will it help you stay hydrated but lettuce is a good source of vitamins B6, A and C and its fiber content will help keep you feeling fuller longer.
Soda
Stick to the diet varieties to avoid extra sugar and calories but despite the general conception that caffeinated drinks dehydrate it turns out that soda can still count toward your daily water intake. If you combine soda with a healthy salty snack you will retain even more of its liquid benefits.
Smoothies
Combining fresh or frozen fruit with frozen yogurt and giving it a spin in your blender is a great way to cool off on a hot day. Not only will you get all the nutrients from your choice of fruit but by picking a low fat yogurt with active cultures you will be doing something good for your digestive health as well. Strawberries, oranges and grapefruits all have a high water content so you can feel like you’re having dessert and still replenish the fluids you’ve lost throughout the day.
There’s no denying that when it comes to dehydration nothing will relieve your thirst like water just the way nature made it, but let’s face it water gets boring so don’t be afraid to get your hydration on with some of the tasty alternatives.