I've read in several places how you really need some kind of Gatorade-type drink for runs over an hour long. I don't really care for all of the extra stuff they put in Gatorade so I was wondering if anyone has any healthier alternatives. I saw on a healthy cooking show the other day that coconut milk has electrolytes. ??? I've also read that milk is a good post-workout drink, but I'm clearly not going to be chugging milk in the middle of a marathon. I'm looking for something with no artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup, or corn syrup at all for that matter, or dyes.
Kara, I like Crystal Light Hydration. It has sodium and electrolytes without the calories. It comes in a little tube that you dump into your water bottle and is only 5 calories.
If you can't find it at your grocery store, Amazon has it in two flavors, berry and lemonade: Crystal Light Hydration
ETA: Oops, I think it has artificial sweeteners. Sorry!
Kara you can get your electrolytes out of your food! if you are eating a healthy diet...and we know you are! I really doubt you have anything to worry about. Grab a granola bar. I know you are training hard but I think...and I could be wrong here...we all know I often am! that you don't have anything to worry about...now maybe, if you were doing the IRONMAN...?
.......and I could be wrong here...we all know I often am![/B] that you don't have anything to worry about...now maybe, if you were doing the IRONMAN...?
Well, after research I realized that I was wrong...what! ME!!
When Angie and I trained for our marathon some of the folks got a little carried away with the electrolyte thing...maybe it's a little more of an issue than I thought!
I PM'd KARA so don't worry gals...we aren't going to lose her to dehydration!!
They make electrolyte capsules/tablets that some runners use... I've never used them, but I'm sure you could pick some up in a running or maybe nutrition store.
If you need sugar as well, you could drink some watered-down fruit juice or something, to get completely natural sugars.
I did check out the gel but it had just as much junk as Gatorade does. I wonder if the tablets or capsuls are better. And I also wonder how they're tolerated by the belly. Anyone ever use them?