Staying Hydrated With Electrolytes

Everyone preaches that you need to drink water while you're working out to stay hydrated, but thats only half of the equation. The reality is that if you are sweating while you are training, you are not only losing water, but electrolytes as well. Electrolytes are the minerals sodium, chloride, magnesium, calcium and potassium. While sources of these minerals should always be included in your diet, sodium and chloride need special attention as they are excreted in large amounts during sweating. This means that if you are active and sweat alot, the DRI for salt (2300mg) is not enough for you. Don't be afraid to eat salt, just don't go overboard with it.

There are many easy ways to ensure that you have enough electrolytes in your system to perform at your best. For instance, in the meal you eat before you train, consider eating slaty foods such as salted nuts or pretzels. During training, drinking Gatorade is a great way to replace the electrolyted you have lost in sweat. After you train, go ahead and salt your meat to mak sure you are getting enough sodium and chloride!