Dehydration is one of the most common issues to address after WLS and during the hot summer months or during a mild and warm spell it can be especially problematic. It’s hard enough at the best of times to get the recommended water on board but when the mercury soars, or exercise is added to the equation, it can be more of a challenge. I often find it particularly vexing when I have a travelling day – trying to balance my hydration needs against ‘bathroom stops’ takes some planning!
However, for your body to function at its best, you must constantly replace any fluids lost by taking in more through beverages and foods. In the first few weeks after surgery this can be a pretty tall order and seem like torture so you may well find that you are constantly sipping to get the recommended 2.5-3.5 litres/10-15 cups inside.
Keeping a water bottle by your side or with you all the time is a good idea so that you can automatically sip on it between meals. Also remember to drink before and after exercise workouts, and to sip regularly as you’re sweating.
But what can you do if you are bored with straight water and need to up the intake without resorting to sugary treats like sweet tea or iced mochas? Here are some tried and tested ideas:
* Try iced water … it often seems more refreshing than that at room temperature.
* Jazz up your water with cucumber peel, lemon or lime slices or mint leaves.
* Make up your favourite low-calorie coffee drinks with a sugar substitute instead of sugar.
* Try out chilled diet iced tea … ready-made or your own.
* Check the supermarket shelves for low-calorie and sugar-free fruit drinks … many now also stock US favourites like Kool-Aid or Crystal Light alongside the more usual UK brands.
* Try crushed or shaved ice with low-sugar or no added sugar cordials and syrups. There are countless flavours so you should never get bored.
* Add a splash of orange or other fruit juice to water for just a hint of fruitiness.
* Freeze your flavoured water on a stick as an iced lolly/popsicle …fabulous for cooling down on a hot day.
And now there is another option …. a very stylish tipple!
Stur are a new range of premium water-enhancers that are perfect for bariatrics. Why? well because:
* they have zero calories and zero sugar
* they are suitable for vegetarians and vegans
* they have no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners
* every squeeze contains 100% of the recommended daily dose of Vitamin C, plus six other essential vitamins
* they’re sweetened with high-quality, natural stevia
Every bottle of Stur makes 30 servings when added to 200 ml/scant 1 cup water. It comes in six delicious flavours using natural fruit juices and extracts. Our tasting panel gave them the thumbs up and we now have a bottle stashed in the car, next to our water dispenser and I even have one tucked into my handbag/purse for during meetings. We found that chilled or iced water gave the best result and can report that frozen onto a stick makes a fabulous lolly/popsicle.
They are available as a 6 bottle pack (you can select your own choice of flavours) for £19.98 from http://www.sturdrinks.eu/uk/ which will make 180 glasses of delicious fruit or tea drinks.