During the warmer summer months, it’s very easy for kids to become dehydrated while playing outside. Here are some tips to keep in mind to ensure the stay cool, hydrated and healthy:
Hydrate
When kids are swimming and surrounded by water they can easily forget to keep hydrated. So even if it is a roofed pool and there is no sun or heat, ensure children are drinking plenty of water and fluids.
Keep Cool
Invest in cool drying or wicking clothing that does not retain heat. Kids can get heat exhaustion very quickly while playing outside in the summer, so making sure that they are dressed to stay cool is crucial.
Sports Drinks
Sport drinks are not what kids need when they are sitting on the couch watching TV, but as soon as they are out and active, moving around, their body definitely needs the electrolytes and the sugars to keep them fueled and hydrated. When kids stop exercising, parents should make sure they go back to plain water.
Hydrating Snacks
Fruit is a great snack and summer has a lot of tasty ones to offer. Frozen grapes are a really great, easy way to get good, healthy nutrition: they tastegreat, and are cool and refreshing. Or make fruit an activity and visit a strawberry field or go picking for cherries. The more you can get kids involved, the more likely they are to try the healthy snacks they picked themselves.
Dana RyanPh.D., MA, MBA – Director, Sports Performance, Nutrition and Education
Dr. Dana Ryan is the director of Sports Performance, Nutrition and Education at Herbalife. She is also the Chair of the Fitness Advisory Board. She completed her doctorate in Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness at Arizona State University. She earned an MBA from USC and a Master’s in Kinesiology from San Diego State University. Dr. Ryan is also certified in nutrition for optimal health, wellness and performance. Before joining Herbalife Nutrition, she taught exercise physiology and related courses at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), and conducted research at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA),* on the impact of community-based nutrition and physical activity programs on heart disease risk. A passionate athlete, Dr. Ryan enjoys all water sports, especially rowing. Her favorite Herbalife products are Herbalife24® Liftoff®, Herbalife24® Rebuild Strength and Enrichual Hemp Facial Serum.
*The University of California does not endorse specific products or services as a matter of policy.