Do you love spending time in the outdoors? The hard part is to stay healthy while always on the go. The need to refuel your body is crucial to keeping up with all the demands of every adventure. While out exploring, power pack your diet with these 21 foods to replenish your lost electrolytes.

Electrolytes are important for athletic performance. In fact, the key to performing well while out on an adventure comes down to providing your body with everything it needs. Making a few changes can set you apart. You will feel and perform better.

What Are the Benefits of Adding Electrolytes in Your Diet?

Electrolytes are electrically-charged minerals. The right balance is vital for you to create a well-performing body. Electrolytes are found in a variety of healthy foods, or as a supplement you can add to your water.

Electrolytes work with water in your body to perform at your highest level. If you want to be ready to take on any adventure, make sure to add these into your diet. Otherwise, you will significantly decrease your performance.

The benefits are seen throughout your entire body. There are a number of different reasons to add electrolytes to your diet. After all, you will not be able to function properly without them. They are essential for:

• • • • • Controlling your fluid balance
        • Maintaining your blood pressure
        • Helping your muscles contract
        • Maintaining the correct acidity of your blood
        • Keeping a safe heart rhythm

However, if you are not careful you can quickly run into health problems. The most common imbalances are of sodium and potassium. An imbalance of electrolytes can cause the following:

• • • • • confusion
        • headaches
        • fatigue
        • muscle weakness and cramping
        • nausea
        • vomiting
        • diarrhea

Imbalances can be caused by low or high levels. There is a healthy range of all electrolytes within your body. Otherwise, you will not be able to perform at your best.

Pounding headaches and muscle cramps are the worst. It is hard to enjoy any activity when you feel like crap. After all, this is why it is so important to add healthy foods to your diet. The balance of electrolytes within your body can prevent feeling like this.

The Different Electrolytes

There are seven different electrolytes. Each works to support your health in their own way. The key is to add each of the electrolytes into your diet with a variety of healthy foods. Besides for bicarbonate, as it is produced within your body. Thus, you do not need to get this one through your diet.

1. Sodium

2. Potassium

3. Calcium

4. Magnesium

5. Chloride

6. Bicarbonate

7. Phosphate

How Much Electrolytes Do You Need?

A healthy diet is important to keep the right levels. However, you must keep in mind other conditions that will lead to fluctuations in your electrolyte levels.

Indeed, there are several factors to consider when you attempt to replenish your electrolytes. The following factors determine your needs on each adventure.

• • • • • age
        • activity intensity
        • activity duration
        • water consumption
        • climate

As you age, you become more susceptible to imbalances. So you must monitor more closely. Additionally, medications can have a drastic impact on your levels. For example, diuretics will cause a shift in your levels more frequently. As you age, you generally take more medications so be aware of this side effect.

The actual activity will play the most crucial role in determining the amount of electrolytes you need in your diet. This includes the length, intensity, and type. The longer and more difficult an activity, the more electrolytes you will need to replenish your levels.

Another key point is to always check the weather. Hot and humid climates cause for you to lose the most. In fact, humidity prevents your sweat from evaporating properly causing you to sweat more. Thus, pay attention to the weather to plan for the amount of electrolytes you will need. Cold weather can also provide a false sense of hydration. Generally speaking you will feel a decreased need to consume water and electrolytes. Do not wait until you are thirsty to replenish your body.

21 Foods to Replenish Your Electrolytes

After all, foods and supplements are your main source to recharge your body. If you are looking to improve your performance than you are going to want to add these foods to your diet. For the most part, intense exercise will require you to consume more electrolytes than normal.

Building a healthy diet takes work. However, the right foods will help you reach your fitness goals. Electrolytes are a major part of that success. A variety of healthy foods is the best way to replenish your lost electrolytes. Additionally, always make sure to have a healthy meal before performing a hard workout.

The following 21 foods are perfect to add to your diet. While some are just food options, others are a combination.

1. breakfast smoothie (berries, scoop of protein, collagen, and almond milk)

2. chia seeds

3. sunflower seeds

4. nuts (almonds, cashews, and peanuts)

5. almond butter wrap

6. strawberries

7. blueberries

8. bananas

9. oranges

10. tomatoes and cucumber salad

11. overnight oats (with coconut or oat milk)

12. coconut water

13. raisins

14. olives

15. baked sweet potatoes

16. beef jerky

17. dark leafy greens salad (kale and spinach)

18. natural protein bars

19. broccoli

20. avocados

21. yogurt and granola

Additionally, try adding a natural electrolyte supplement to your water. Some extra electrolytes can be great to keep up with the demands of intense exercise. Also, adding a little flavor to your water can help you drink more. Just make sure to not overdo it.

Tips to Replenish Your Electrolytes

Generally speaking, a few tips can be what you need to keep your electrolytes in balance. For the most part these important tips will make all the difference in your performance.

Eat a balanced, healthy diet.

Drink plenty of water, but don’t overdo it. Too much water can cause an imbalance.

Use a natural supplement to give yourself a boost.

Try to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Replenish yourself with fluids and electrolytes before, during, and after your activity.

You can avoid electrolyte imbalances by eating a healthy diet and drinking enough water. If you’re an athlete, sports drinks may be a good way for you to quickly replenish your electrolyte levels. However, just be careful to pick a supplement with the right ingredients.

In conclusion, electrolytes assist with a number of functions within your body so you are able to reach your optimal performance.If you are looking to reduce headaches, fatigue, and soreness than you are going to want to add these 21 healthy foods to your diet. After all, the secret to performance in through your diet.