How To Stay Hydrated Beyond Drinking Water

Try Chia Pudding

Chia pudding is a healthy snack many individuals recommend as an alternative to processed snack foods. It's appealing because the pudding can often be made with just three to five ingredients, so individuals don't have to do a lot of complicated shopping or buy expensive premade versions. Since individuals can make chia pudding at home, they also get their choice of how to sweeten it, so they can experiment until they find their favorite flavor. Chia pudding is traditionally made with chia seeds and milk. Once it is in the fridge, it settles like pudding, and can be eaten on its own or as a topping. Chia pudding has an advantage over other types of pudding when it comes to hydration. Chia seeds can absorb between ten and thirty times their size in water, so they expand in the stomach and make individuals feel fuller. They also slow down the body's conversion of carbohydrates, so individuals have more sustained energy. The absorption powers of the chia seeds help the body stay hydrated, since the water remains in the stomach rather than being flushed out. Some experts recommend eating chia seeds or pudding before exercising for sustained hydration.

Try Other Beverages

When individuals are thirsty, water is the best beverage for hydration. It's what the human body was built to consume. However, individuals can also hydrate by using other fluids, and it helps to try other beverages rather than not drink anything at all. Different beverages have different abilities to help with hydration. Many are surprised to learn coffee and tea can hydrate you almost as well as water. Because caffeine is a diuretic, there's a persistent misconception that these beverages cause dehydration. But tea and coffee are both mostly water, so they provide enough fluid to offset the diuretic effect. Other water-based hot drinks like hot chocolate and herbal tea can be hydrating. Researchers have discovered milk is also good for hydration, especially because it contains protein, calcium, and other body-regulating substances. Fruit juices also provide nutrients and electrolytes, which means they can sometimes hydrate better than water.