Restore Electrolytes
With summer upon us, it is important to keep Electrolytes in your system. As you workout and sweat, your body loses electrolytes and can cause an imbalance. Symptoms that point to an electrolyte imbalance are: dizziness, fatigue, fever, joint pain, and muscle cramps.
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How do restore electrolytes that are lost? Is water the answer? Water is great, but remember, electrolytes are what help the cells absorb the water. If all you do is drink more and more water, and not replace electrolytes, you can actually cause dehydration. A good rule of thumb, for water intake, is 1/2 an ounce of water per pound you weigh. Even more if you are physically active.
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The answer lies by eating foods the contain major electrolytes like potassium, sodium, calcium, chloride, phosphate, and magnesium. So, eat foods like bananas, raisins, dates, citrus fruits, coconut water, pickles, bell peppers, and even low calorie sports drinks. Yes, even salting your food is a good thing as long as its controlled and not in excess.
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In closing, be sure to include more of these electrolyte dense foods in your diet throughout the day. Also, be sure to plan a good meal before you workout and after you workout that is rich in these nutrients so you can replace the lost electrolytes.
