Summer is the time when we have to pay more attention to the hydration of our body. The increased temperature, greater sweat losses and our increased exposure to the sun force us to be more careful with the fluids we consume.
What does dehydration cause in the body?
Many unpleasant symptoms can only be due to the lack of fluids from our body. Some of them are headache, fatigue and inability to concentrate. So hydration is quite as important a matter as our daily diet for health. A simple and easy way to check your body's hydration status is to monitor the color of your urine. If they are thick and very yellow, it means that you are dehydrated, while if they are thin and clear, it means that you are well hydrated.
What are the best options for adequate hydration?
A basic ingredient of hydration is water, but most of us forget that it is not only water that can hydrate us, but anything that contains it. For example, fruits and vegetables are very rich in water and if we eat a slice of watermelon we will take in fluids as if we were drinking water. So if water seems boring to you, below are some ideas with which you can give your body the hydration it needs in a pleasant way.
Add a slice of lemon or lime or even their juice to a glass of water. Even a slice of cucumber or some mint can give a different taste to cold water. Make juice from watermelon and cantaloupe or consume them as whole fruits. In addition to liquids, you will also give your body vitamins and trace elements. Make and keep summer fruit granitas in your refrigerator. Iced tea can also quench your thirst and give your body the necessary fluids without calories if it does not contain sugar. You can also make your own, using refreshing summer or exotic flavors and honey.
Make smoothies with fruit and low-fat milk or even yogurt. And these dairy products have a high moisture content while being a source of vitamin D and calcium.
Don't forget your children who may be forgotten by playing in the sea in addition to sun protection with a hat and sunscreen, make sure they drink water often and eat fruits with a high water content. Pay attention to liquids that contain sugar, because in addition to liquids, you will also take in a lot of calories, resulting in an increase in your weight.
Add a slice of lemon or lime or even their juice to a glass of water.
Even a slice of cucumber or some mint can give a different taste to cold water. Make juice from watermelon and cantaloupe or consume them as whole fruits. In addition to liquids, you will also give your body vitamins and trace elements. Make and keep summer fruit granitas in your refrigerator. Iced tea can also quench your thirst and give your body the necessary fluids without calories if it does not contain sugar. You can make your own, using refreshing summer or exotic flavors and honey. Make smoothies with fruit and low-fat milk or even yogurt. And these dairy products have a high moisture content while being a source of vitamin D and calcium.
Don't forget your children who may be forgotten by playing in the sea in addition to sun protection with a hat and sunscreen, make sure they drink water often and eat fruits with a high water content. Pay attention to liquids that contain sugar, because in addition to liquids, you will also take in a lot of calories, resulting in an increase in your weight.
What to keep?
All the above refreshing suggestions will please your palate with the benefit of your hydration and more. Also very important is not to wait until you are thirsty to try the above, when you are thirsty you are already dehydrated up to 50%. Therefore you must anticipate your thirst. A good tip for this is to always have your iced water or tea with you as you can carry them around... even if you don't feel thirsty, having them around can tempt you to consume them.
Katerina Fantoussi, Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist
https://www.mednutrition.gr
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