Post by contributor Erin of Home & Grace
Baseball field.
Church.
Theater.
London underground.
Budapest airport.
What do these places have in common? I’ve passed out at all of them because of dehydration.
I also passed out at a concert venue that moonlighted as a strip club (I didn’t want my list to look too scandalous). My brother had a hard time convincing the medic stationed there that I was neither high nor drunk, just really thirsty.
Because of my propensity for passing out, I was more than a bit excited when I got my first hot pink Nalgene water bottle when I was a sophomore in high school – I could always have water with me and not look like a total loser. Water bottles were finally trendy!
With time I learned how to stay hydrated but occasionally it’s still hard for me to keep enough water in my system, no matter how much I drink. When I’m pregnant, sick, exercising or traveling, I need more than just water. Gatorade was my go-to when I required an extra boost and while it worked, I didn’t want to keep putting all those non-real food ingredients into my body, especially when I was growing a baby!
So I set out to make my own electrolyte drink – essentially a DIY pedialyte. As it turns out all you really need to add to water to boost your hydration is a bit of real salt, like sea salt or Himalayan pink salt or Redmond Real Salt. The minerals in the salt create the electrical charge that slows the absorption of water into your body and allow it to capture more water before it passes through your system.
Salt + water = hydration. Simple enough, huh?
But, seriously though, who wants to drink salt water? It just doesn’t taste good!
So I added a pinch of Himalayan pink salt to a quart of water, splashed in lemon and lime juice and, for good measure, a scoop of magnesium powder and, voilà!, I wasn’t thirsty anymore.
This electrolyte drink may be used to replace:
- Sport drinks (like Gatorade) during times of physical exertion
- Pedialyte when your kids (or you!) are sick
- Regular water, when you need an extra boost of hydration
You could change out the type of juice depending on your flavor preference or make it even more hydrating by using coconut water – it already has sodium and potassium.
I drink a quart of this every day and two quarts when my body is extra strained. It really helps me to stay hydrated and not feel thirsty. My kids love it, too, and since it’s made with all natural ingredients, I am happy to share!
DIY Hydrating Electrolyte Drink
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon magnesium powder
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together, and enjoy. Drink within 12 hours for best flavour.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and am not giving medical advice. The information here is for educational purposes only.
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Lyle
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Frances
Looks great! Thanks for such a helpful electrolyte recipe!
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Kathy
Is magnesium powder safe for 3 year okd chikdren in the hydrating drink?
Beth
I’m not a doctor so I can’t give official medical advice, but I give it to my kids (youngest is currently 2). 🙂
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Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, regards.
Sue L
Hello!
I just came across your site. Can you recommend a magnesium powder to use in your DIY Electolyte Replacement Drink?
Thank you,
Sue L.
Erin Long
I use Natural Calm – it’s available on Amazon and in many natural grocery stores
Jason J
Or you could purchase Wubba Water, an organic electrolyte drink for kids. No synthetic dyes, no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, less than 2 grams of sugar/serving and comes in 12 oz bottles. http://www.wubbawater.com. Also avail on Amazon. Oh, and tastes great!
Kellie
What’s the magnesium powder for?
MamaV
If you use raspberry leaf and ginger to infuse the water before you make the drink, then it’s really awesome for when you are in labor!
Beth
Ooh, GREAT tip, thanks Virginia! 🙂