Water Or Gatorade?

[roxie]

Have any of you been told not to only drink water that it diluted ?you aNdlevel it out with a sports drink??

[Jan]

My doctor said to drink water and make sure I eat enough salt. I don't think he wanted me to drink sports drinks because there is so much sugar in them.

[skyblu]

I drink both. And when I drink Gatorade I mix it with water.

[lissy]

Yes I've been told that because just drinking water alone can dehydrate you.

[britishangel6]

When I first got diagnosed I proudly told them I drank a lot of water and was told to change to a sports drink for the sodium and other electrolytes. I've seen other doctors (cardiologists and neurologists) who all told me to make sure I drink sports drinks in addition to a high sodium diet (currently, I even add salt to the sports drink). I am on florinef thought, which won't work if I don't take in a lot of salt (along with fluids).

I originally thought that if I took a lot of salt I could drink water but the doctors seem to like the sports drinks. If you want to avoid the increased calories there's Powerade Zero but you can't really buy it in bulk. Hope this helps.

Brittanie

[potsgirl]

I've also been told by both my neurologist and my cardiologist to eat tons o' salt, drink 2-2.5 liters of water a day, which includes some electrolyte drink. Nuun and Camelbak tablets are good, you just drop them in your water. They're not high in sugar, and if you want to cut out almost all of the sugar, go for 'G2' Gatorade. There are a lot of sports drinks out there now, and I'd be surprised if there wasn't one that meets most of our needs.

[sue1234]

You know, I looked at the label of a G2 drink, and it had 110 mg. sodium and 30 mg. potassium. I don't understand why doctors are pushing this!!

I can eat my fruits and vegetables, add extra salt to my foods, and drink water. At the end of the day, I had more nutrition than any sports drink will ever give me! My fruits/veggies give me so much more potassium, and sodium control is as easy as a salt shaker. Unless someone is sweating everything out in a sauna, I think what you consume throughout the day has an "intertwining" effect on the body as a whole.

[Guest tearose]

No, I was told just not to "overdrink" water.

Can you "feel" how much you need?

If I over do salt I will swell and if I am lacking in potassium I get chest pains.

[maggie]

I was told by my neuro not to drink sport drinks, but to use only water. Now that I have begun to exercise I've decided to try coconut water, the brand I bought was o.n.e. I was going to drink the 8 oz carton and my husband stated he wouldn't do that due to the fact that I've just been drinking water for 5 years now { 100 oz of water a day}. I followed his advise and I drank 1/2 cup of the coconut water and within ten minutes I was burping {sorry guys} and I had an upset stomach for the rest of the day and had difficulty eating. Should I try it again only drinking 1/4 and how often would you try drinking it, everyday, or just on the days I exercise? I can't believe it made me so sick. Does anyone have thoughts in regarding this issue?

Maggie

[Guest tearose]

maggie,

Why can't you drink powerade or gatorade? What did the neuro say to discourage it?

When physically exerting myself or if feeling in need of a hydration, need for fluids boost it can be a help to me.

I think if you are in need of more potassium or sodium it is a great way to add it.

Were you drinking gatorade instead of water?

[maggie]

tearose,

My neuro stated that gatorade has too much sugar and isn't a great way to get the potassium, he stated right from my first visit not to drink that product. I've never have drank gatorade, soda, before pots I was a great iced tea fan, but that went as soon as the anxiety set in. It' been water ever since. He suggested to use canned soups to get more sodium into my diet, they're full of sodium, but I don't normally eat those either. I don't like to eat food that have perservatives. My pharmacist suggested making my own chicken soup that will provide plenty of potassuim and sodium. I guess what works for one doesn't always work for another. That's why I was so excited to see the suggestion of coconut water, alot easier then making soup. I just couldn't believe how sick I was on just 1/2 cup. I think I'll try just 1/4 cup and see what the results of that is. Maybe introducing it slowly into my system will work.

Maggie

[DIXZELAND]

I drink Gatorade "low calorie". It's less sugar and quenches my thirst. It's much better than plain water.

[Tuesday]

My electrophysiologist has told me to use both water and sports drinks together. She said that relying on just one isn't a good approach, but to use both and add my salt tablets as needed.

[comfortzone]

My neuro said to drink G2 and I sub with Powerade Zero as they are only 88 cents locally lately. Yet I'm on a diuretic and should limit sugar d/t hbaic of about 6 over the years. I get dizzy if I stand too long. Heck if I get ANY fluid in a day other than a cup or two of coffee in the morning it's a major feat. My thirst thing doesn't work - I do not enjoy the 'job' of keeping hydrated......to me it's real work and I don't notice much help with it -- TP in the bathroom goes faster and my wallet is out for all the fuss of drinking fluids. But many of life's 'good' things are not easy - so I don't give up and figure any fluid is an improvement over none. I'm a professed salt-a-holic and am told to 'don't do that'..........yet I crave it daily. My b/p is hi..then it's low. Then it's high again...... Who knows. I was told that eating diet food such as carrots and celery sticks have a ton of sodium in them and folks don't ever think of that - that because it's a veggie and even if you eat it plain - the fact it comes from the ground I guess can load a food with 'natural' sodium.....

Sigh......tomorrow is a new day ..... some times I get overwhelmed with all the 'shoulds' know what I mean? Should wear compression hose, should drink G2, should exercise, should eat healthy, should wear a knee brace to stabilize the patella, should, should, should..........?

[kayjay]

I was told that I drank too much plain water. My doc told me to drink V8 and the best thing he recommended pedalite ( don't know how to spell it) if i ever got sick. It has made a world of difference for me. I plan on keeping it in the house at all times.

I do like nuun.