Cut the B.S Wednesday – Stay Hydrated

By Vanessa Fioretti | May 18, 2016

What is the #1 nutrient to help detoxify your body, that is required by every living cell? Water of course! But you probably already knew that 😉 Beyond water, there are some other beverages that can help your body stay hydrated, leaving you with supple skin and zero water retention. First, it’s important to catch dehydration in its tracks.

What are some signs and symptoms of dehydration?

  1. Thirst. This is the first symptom of dehydration. This is the easiest one to spot.
  2. Feeling mentally drained or as though you need to take a nap to get through the rest of the day.
  3. Sometimes when you feel hungry, your system is just searching for a way to get some hydration. Drink a glass of water first and then examine if you are still hungry.

Drink 2-4 liters of water per day. If you have a higher level of activity, outside in the warm summer days, you need to drink closer to the 4-liter mark. If you are a commuter, you need to have some extra water in your car in order to stay hydrated.

What are some other sources of hydration?

Coconut Water – not all coconut water is created equal when it comes to processing and taste. I find some people will dislike the taste of one brand but love the taste of another. If you’ve tried coconut water and feel like it’s not for you – try again! Try a different brand – my go-to is Thirsty Buddha . I love that they are Canadian, non-gmo and part of the 1% for the planet project. “Live Healthy. Be Happy. Seek Balance.” You gotta LOVE that philosophy! You can use coconut water to replace your ‘sport-drink’, because it is literally PACKED with electrolytes, such as potassium. Let your kids have a try after their next soccer or hockey practice, and you will be flooding their little systems with hydrating goodness. I find that kids gravitate towards the coconut water with mango. You can drink it before or after a workout, in a smoothie for an added boost OR you can even put it in a cocktail (recipe below: Skinny Colada Cocktail with Muddled Mint and Lime)

Cold Pressed Juice – These are a bit more filling and contain some added nutrients. This is a great choice for kids on the road or during a soccer game, because it fills them up and keeps their electrolytes up, so they can last longer instead of crashing hard and becoming difficult to deal with.

Kombucha – Because this fermented tea is naturally effervescent (bubbly!), I serve this up as a substitute for pop. It now comes in many different flavours such as peach, blueberry, ginger and mango. This hydrating drink is EXCELLENT for gut-health, providing a healthy dose of naturally occurring probiotics. Some great brands include Live Kombucha, Tonica and Rise, which are all Canadian-based companies.

Infused Water – adding frozen berries into your water, or a combination of lemon, cucumber, lime and watermelon are all fun ways to get more water into your system. The added benefits are more antioxidants becoming infused into the water, with water soluble vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin B-complex.

Skinny Colada Cocktail with Muddled Mint and Lime

  • Vodka or Rum (optional)
  • Thirsty Buddha Coconut Water
  • Pineapple Juice
  • Splash of mineral water
  • 1/2 lime juiced, save some for garnish
  • 4-6 mint leaves
  • Shredded coconut for rimming your glass
  • Ice
  1. Use a clean margarita glass and rim with a lime slice. Roll the rim in shredded coconut until evenly coated.
  2. Place the mint in the bottom of the glass and use a muddler to twist and break apart your fresh mint. Squeeze fresh lime-juice over top.
  3. Add ice to your glass and pour in your alcohol of choice, coconut water, pineapple juice and splash of mineral water.
  4. Garnish with a few extra mint sprigs and sliced lime on the side
  5. For the kids version instead of ice cubes use frozen organic berries in their cups
Posted in Nutrition, Recipes