With the summer months approaching you may be beginning to plan summer activities for you and your family, things such as soccer, baseball, running, hiking, and much more. Activities like these can be fun, yet draining on the body. It is very important that when having fun in the sun during the summer months we pay attention to our bodies needs and stay hydrated.
The body needs to replace the water lost every 24 hours with more water to stay healthy and efficient; this is because the body has no prevision for water storage. So it is important to be taking in 6-8 glasses of water a day (Krause’s Food and Nutrition Therapy, 2008).
It is critical to monitor your child’s water intake in the summer months as well as during activities. A person’s water intake is for the most part guided by thirst, which is stimulated by dehydration (Krause’s Food and Nutrition Therapy, 2008). It is important that when we experience thirst we provide our bodies with water to replenish fluids lost.
To stay hydrated make sure you pack cold water to take with you to sporting events, runs, walks or hikes, or when going to be out in the sun for a long period of time. Give children water instead of fruit juices and pop that is high in sugar and does little to replenish the body. Some people do not like the taste of water and don’t drink it for this reason. A way to make water more enjoyable is to add, lemons or limes, cucumbers or a splash of cranberry juice to your water.
Check out this link to an article by the MayoClinic.com about dehydration and youth sports.
Whatever method you choose to increase or maintain your water intake, make sure you get that water when out in the sun so you and your family can enjoy the warm weather.
Live Well…Chinweoke
Wed, Jul 14, 2010
Health & Lifestyle