Watermelon-Coconut Electrolyte Drink
Watermelon Coconut Electrolyte Drink
Fresh watermelon juice comes together with potassium-rich coconut water, a pinch of sea salt and (if you have it on hand) a hint of mint or lemon for a delightful drink to keep you cool during the summer months!
I'm talking about electrolytes today at The Nourishing Gourmet where am sharing another one of my favorites, honeydew-lime.
Here is a glimpse of that post ...Ya’ll (you guys, mes amis) it's gonna be a hot one! I’m reminded every time I glimpse the forest land in our Georgia backyard.
It is exceptionally lush for this time of year, wildly abundant with its teeming underbrush, both ominous (poison ivy) and delightful (honeysuckle! muscadine!)
... A sure sign of many steamy days to come.
Watermelon-Coconut Electrolyte Drink
WHAT ARE ELECTROLYTES?
Electrolytes are minerals we have in our bodies that carry an electric (ionic) charge, allowing them to perform important functions such as muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and the movement of fluids throughout the body. Common electrolytes include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, sulphur and phosphorous.Being in the heat, exercise, nursing, certain health conditions and medications as well as an imbalanced diet are ways that we can become depleted. Sodium and potassium are usually the first to go. Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources and I also find it helpful (and fun) to make my own electrolyte drinks when I really need something to hit the spot.(Important note: Dehydration can also signal that your electrolyte levels are too high. If you are having trouble keeping your fluids balanced, talk with your doctor to make sure there isn’t something more serious going on.)
GOOD USES I’VE FOUND FOR ELECTROLYTE DRINKS
Several years ago while nursing, I found myself in a state of low-level chronic dehydration. I just couldn’t seem to rise up out of it and I was really dragging. I decided to try “coconut water therapy” and sipped on it for three days (about 32 oz. a day) and felt totally renewed!
My 7-yr old son is very athletic, always dribbling the basketball or challenging me to a game of dodgeball in the sun (he always wins). He drinks a lot of water, but sometimes I whip up one of these for him to have in between meals to make sure he is staying hydrated.
My 3-yr old daughter is not a lover of fruit and doesn’t naturally drink a lot of water – I have to prompt her throughout the day or she can easily become mildly dehydrated. She does, however, love fresh-pressed juices, smoothies and electrolyte drinks.
As far as stomach bugs go, I don’t generally pump my kids (or myself) with fluids during the acute stage of the illness. I wait until the stomach is less eruptive and hydrate them when they are able to keep things down/in. I started doing this based on my pediatrician’s recommendation and I find they recover much more quickly this way. Once the worst is over, they are able to replenish their fluids efficiently and effectively instead of the symptoms being drawn out. (This may not be best for your child and your particular situation. Always discuss things first with your pediatrician – dehydration is a serious matter.)
Watermelon Coconut Electrolyte Drink
5 MORE ELECTROLYTE DRINK IDEAS
I hope you enjoy this watermelon-coconut recipe as much as we do!If you're thirsty for more, today at The Nourishing Gourmet, I've put together 5 more electrolyte drink ideas for you, including one of my favorites ... honeydew-lime! Head over there now to get the scoop!
Recipe: Watermelon-Coconut Electrolyte Drink
This refreshing summer drink contains potassium (coconut water) and sodium (sea salt) for deep hydration!
Author: Natalia Gill
Prep time:
10 mins
Total time:
10 mins
Serves: 1-2
INGREDIENTS
1⅓ cups watermelon juice (from about 2 cups of chopped fruit)
⅔ cup coconut water
a few leaves of mint (optional)
a good pinch of sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS
Juice the watermelon (and mint if you are using). Combine with the coconut water and stir in the salt til dissolved. Serve over ice. (As an alternative to mint, a squeeze of lemon or lime is also lovely!)