Stay Hydrated this Summer!

Summers in upstate New York are glorious and it’s wonderful to take advantage of the fine weather by spending lots of time in the outdoors. As we ease our way into the season, it’s important to stay hydrated. This is crucial for every age group.

If you or a loved one develops a headache or body aches, water might be the easy cure. Often it is what the body needs most for an easy remedy.

Caffeinated, sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks are not a substitute for water.

Start a healthy habit of carrying a reusable bottle with you. Filling it ahead of time will help you to prepare for when you’ll need it later on.

It’s important to drink throughout the day, particularly between meals.

Drinking a lot of anything before or during meals, dilutes stomach acids necessary to help food breakdown food for proper digestion.

Try adding a small amount of a solute to you water such as,

A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice or a 1 tbsp of fruit juice

Aloe vera juice

A pinch of sea salt

You can also make herbal ice tea, such as ginger, nettles, licorice or chamomile.

Any of these options will allow the water to penetrate cell walls, sending hydration where it is needed.

There is a great variety of fresh produce available at this time of year in the region. Most vegetables and fruits are high in water content and fiber to keep you in the flow. Try a variety of these with each meal:

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini

• Summer Squash

• Celery

• Lettuces

• Bell Peppers

• Eggplant

• Broccoli

• Berries

• Melons

• Kiwi

• Tomatoes

• Apples

• Pears

• Plums

• Peaches

Enjoy the summer!

Contact Nancy Corwin Malina MS, CNS