Do you remember the first time you drank Gatorade?
I do! I was at a track and field meet. After the race, my coach passed me a bottle of Gatorade and told me to drink it to avoid feeling sick.
The neon color should have been enough to raise a red flag, but I drank it anyway. 5 minutes later I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. Sugar overload! I could feel the food coloring coursing through my veins.
Fast forward 13 years and I’ve been hitting a wall on my long runs which would generally require Gatorade. What is a girl to do?
Make her own electrolyte drink, yaaaaay!
My go to electrolyte drink has:
- Ultima replenisher
- Loaded with all 8 electrolytes, not just salt like Gatorade [check out their comparison chart]!
- 0 sugar, so you wont get cramping or sugar spikes
- Vegan + gluten free
- Coconut water
- Has the same electrolyte balance as human blood
- Naturally packed with more potassium than a banana
- I carry the packets with me when I’m on the go, but you can also crack open your own coconut and use fresh water!
I combine 1/4 tsp of each powder in my two 10oz. running bottles and I’m set.
I can’t believe what a difference electrolytes can do for my running pace!
If you can’t find Ultima replenisher at your local health food store or, want to try making your electrolyte drink from 100% whole foods, try some of these combos:
Plain and Simple
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1/2 tsp Himalayan rock salt
Veggie Power
- 1 cup vegetable juice
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1/2 tsp Himalayan rock salt
- pinch stevia
Lemonade Twist
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 orange, juiced
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp Himalayan rock salt
For more information on Himalayan rock salt and why it’s far superior to table and sea salts; especially in an electrolyte drink, check out this post.
Happy running… and other things that make you sweat!
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Author Information: Leanne Vogel,
Leanne Vogel is a Holistic Nutritionist with a passion for healthy treats, whole food eats, and balanced living.
http://www.healthfulpursuit.com
I also like Alacer ElectroMix; I do add a tiny bit of salt to it though, per my doc. Thanks for the other recs