We cannot emphasize how important it is to stay in shape during these trying times.
But apart from doing rigorous workouts in the gym and whipping up fantastic food to keep yourself in your best condition, you should never forget about hydration.
Since our bodies are mostly made up of water, this particular liquid is necessary for us to stay alive and be our best selves.
But what if you’re tired of plain old water?
Well, you’re not alone so we’ve listed a few of the best alternatives to quench your thirst especially when you’re working out!
1. Water with Salt
By simply adding salt to water, you’re raising your chances of staying hydrated.
It doesn’t have to taste salty, though.
You just need to put in at least a pinch of salt, then you can already transform water into saltwater or sole water.
However, this is by no means the best option out there.
Saltwater is better than regular water because it replenishes your sodium chloride levels but it doesn’t do much after that.
2. Infused Water
Infusing water with fruits is the next step for fitness enthusiasts who want to balance nutrition and flavor.
It’s a simple and cheap option to stay hydrated since you just practically need to fill a water bottle infuser with plain water and your favorite fruit to gain some of their nutrients that help in better hydration.
3. Green Juice
If you want to take nutritious hydration to the next level while at the same time keeping an all-natural approach to hydration, then your best bet is by drinking green juices before, during, and after workouts.
There are a lot of impressive benefits of drinking green juices, aside from hydration, that it would be a waste if you won’t be able to try them out.
Of course, green juices are better than infused water because they pack more nutrients in one sip.
4. Coffee
We all know how good coffee is for humans.
It gives us an extra boost to do our jobs and stay awake, so it’s not surprising to find out that it’s also good to drink when working out.
When you drink coffee in moderate doses during your exercises, you help your athletic performance and boost your metabolism, too.
Studies have also shown that coffee has helped reduce muscle pain, and if you’re a gym buff, you probably know this, too.
5. Electrolyte Drinks
Electrolyte drinks or sports drinks, of course, address the biggest downside of hydrating with just plain water.
By now, you probably know that when you sweat, you don’t just lose water but also electrolytes or minerals that are essential for your body to work best.
So in a way, these drinks are helpful. But be careful about the brand of sports drinks that you’re purchasing.
Check the label to make sure that there isn’t too much sugar in those drinks, which, of course, would be bad if you’re trying to lose weight. There is hydration powder that contains more vitamins, minerals & electrolytes, and less sugar like those from SkyMD.
6. Nutrition Enhancers
If your goal is not just to hydrate but also to bulk up, then nutrition enhancers like protein shakes and BCAAs should be on your regular drinking menu when working out.
For those who want to gain weight healthily, adding more protein to your diet is the way to go.
But oftentimes, we can’t really eat a lot of protein even if our bodies require more of it.
That’s where nutrition enhancers come into play.
However, consult with your dietitian first if you want these nutrition enhancers to know the proper way to do this because maybe you don’t need more protein to get in shape.
At the end of the day, no drink can substitute plain old water.
But these drinks, when consumed correctly, can help you during workouts and even during recovery periods.
As always, drink or eat in moderation and if you’re in doubt, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor to be sure.