Pedialyte For Recovery
This Drink Is Commonly Used For Children, but I Always Drink It After Strenuous Workouts
If you don't have children or little kids in your family, you've probably never heard of Pedialyte. I'm going to let you in on a little secret of mine: Pedialyte is the sh*t. For the longest time, I thought that Pedialyte was only used by parents with children who were experiencing explosive diarrhea and dehydration as a result. Little did I know Pedialyte also doubles as a recovery drink.
I was introduced to using Pedialyte as a recovery drink by my collegiate track and field coach, and since that day, my life has forever changed. Don't get me wrong — I love Gatorade (especially the lime cucumber flavor), but sports drinks have been known to have high amounts of added sugar in them. Some of the added sugars will provide energy to fuel your muscles when consumed during exercise, but whether or not they're good for you depends on the amount you're drinking, how vigorously you're training, and how much sugar is in the drink.
| Brand | Serving Size | Calories | Total Sugars | Potassium | Total Carbohydrates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pedialyte Classic Liter (mixed fruit) | 360 mL (one bottle) | 35 | 9 g | 370 mg | 9 g |
| Gatorade (fruit punch) | 591 mL (one bottle) | 140 | 34 g | 75 mg | 36 g |
| Powerade (mountain berry blast) | 591 mL (one bottle) | 130 | 34 g | 60 mg | 35 g |
It's a great option post-workout because it helps replenish fluid and electrolytes lost from sweating and dehydration. I don't have it after every workout, but on the days that I go HAM, I always make sure to have some in my gym bag. You don't have to get crazy with the concoction, either — buy the powder packets (best for traveling) and mix with water or buy the liquid form.
Pro tip: not only is Pedialyte great to supplement with if you're sick or after intense workouts, but it's also great for hangovers. It won't completely cure your hangover, but you'll be able to replenish your body with fluids and minerals lost to dehydration and vomiting.
