How to keep hydrated during the winter – the power of electrolytes

Sponsored by DripDrop –

Most people know that keeping ourselves and our kids hydrated in the hot summer months can be a challenge, but dehydration in colder weather can be just as big of a problem. As a skier I get dehydrated twice as fast. Being in the cold, burning calories and being bundled up and hot all day completely wipes me out. I also keep my kids well hydrated on the mountain and in ski school so they don’t get sick. While most of us may not be running around in the summertime heat and humidity, the body is still at risk for dehydration. When it’s cold outside, our blood vessels constrict to conserve heat, causing our blood volume to increase. Since the brain triggers us to feel thirsty when blood volume is low, we don’t always feel the need to rehydrate as often in cooler weather as we do when it’s hot outside.. Nevertheless, our bodies need healthy water levels to function properly, so it’s important to be mindful of hydration in colder months too.

Kids are especially vulnerable to the dangers of dehydration since a winter cold or the flu can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite- all causes of poor hydration in their bodies.  While they may not be playing as many outdoor sports in the wintertime, a lot of energy is still exerted under the bulk of added layers of clothing, and through shivering and breath steam when it’s cold.  In addition, when the heat is pumping during cold months, it dries out the house, and your family, too. If you notice that your child is exhausted, irritable, constantly thirsty, or has a dry mouth, sunken eyes, darker colored urine, or muscle aches, he or she may already be dehydrated.

Here are some helpful tips to make hydration an important part of your family’s everyday routine:

• Eat more water-based fruits and veggies. Pears, apples, citrus, leafy greens and squash are great choices for your winter menus.
• Hydrate before, during, AND after any exercising or rigorous activity, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you wait until you feel thirsty, your body may already be dehydrated.
• Cut back on sodas, caffeine, and sodium, which deplete a lot of the body’s water.
• Soups are delicious, hydrating, and a welcomed comfort in chilly weather. Try out some new recipes and cook in bulk for a quick, replenishing meal that kids love!
• Use DripDrop as a tasty alternative to plain water! It’s also a healthy replacement for sodas and sugary drinks. We love Drip Drop because it’s packed with electrolytes. Electrolytes are mineral silts that are essential for maintaining the body’s water balance. They are also important for the normal functioning of the cells, especially our heart, muscle, and nerve cells. Essential electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium and magnesium.

As a general rule of thumb, drinking about half the body’s weight in fluid ounces of water every day will keep you and your kids hydrated and more resistant to illness this winter.  As the days get shorter and the temperatures get lower, bundle up and keep warm, but don’t forget to keep hydrated too!