5 Ways To Stay Hydrated This Summer

Summer time in Pakistan is synonymous with sweet mangoes, the salty air of the beach, a little bit of rainfall and a lot of heat. With climate change looming over our heads and temperatures rising to an all-time high, it is important to remember to stay hydrated throughout the day to avoid falling sick or feeling faint.

Here’s a list of 5 ways you can make sure you stay hydrated this summer:

1. Drink lots of water
When it comes to staying hydrated, the best solution is to consume lots of water. Not only does it help cool your system down, but also flushes out unnecessary toxins from your body. Though most doctors recommend 8 glasses of water a day, this is not a universal solution to ensuring that one is fully hydrated. There is no set limit on how much water a person needs to drink per day. The amount varies from person to person- some only drink water when they’re thirsty, some require fewer than 8 glasses and some require more. However, in this weather, it is best to constantly sip on water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

2. Eat foods with high water content
Fruits and vegetables such as apples, watermelon, broccoli and cucumbers contain a high percentage of water. Including them in your diet either in solid form or in the form of juices also serves to ensure that you are staying hydrated and getting the nutrients you need.

3. Try sports drinks
For those who indulge in a lot of physical activity and exercise regularly, try consuming sports drinks during the day as they contain both carbohydrates and electrolytes which increase your energy and help your body absorb water. However, it is important to note that sports drinks such as Gatorade differ from energy drinks such as RedBull or Monster. The main difference between the two is that energy drinks contain large amounts of both caffeine and sugar, which have a dehydrating effect on the body.

4. Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal
Not only is oatmeal a healthy breakfast option, but it also helps your body fight off dehydration. When making a bowl of oatmeal, the oats absorb the water or milk used to cook it, making it a surprising source of hydration. Oatmeal is also a great source of fiber and can help lower cholesterol levels . Adding fresh fruit such as strawberries to a bowl of oatmeal adds more flavor to your breakfast and with it, your meal ends up having about the same water content as a full cucumber.

5. Include fat-free or skim milk in your diet
Everyone knows that milk is a great source of calcium and will keep your bones in tip-top shape, however, recent research has shown that milk is better than water and sports drinks when it comes to hydration, rehydration and recovery after exercise (especially chocolate milk). Just make sure you opt for fat-free or skimmed milk since the fat in whole milk could delay fluid replacement.