In fact, while getting into, and staying in the Keto Zone®, you need more electrolytes and more fluids than those who are not in the Keto Zone.

Why?

Let’s dive in. Here’s why you are more at risk of dehydration, and how to make sure your keto hydration is up to par this summer!

Keto Hydration: How Much Fluid Do You Really Need?

You Need Extra Fluid and Electrolytes in the Keto Zone

Why does the Keto Zone® increase your fluid needs?

Simply put, you need more fluid because your body holds less in the Keto Zone®. As you get into ketosis, your body will make less insulin. With less insulin, your body will store less carbs in its system, including glycogen (stored carbohydrates in muscle tissue). Glycogen is a heavy compound that holds fluid with it.

With every gram of glycogen decreased, your body will excrete 3 grams of fluid.

This means less fluid held, and more needed to keep your body in good keto hydration and balance.

Your Kidneys are Working Hard

As you decrease stored carbs and fluid, your kidneys will work to excrete the water grams rather than retain them.

You will feel less bloated and begin to look leaner and better.

However, your fluid losses means you need to ingest more fluid in your diet to both keep your body in a state of hydration and decrease the workload on your kidneys. Dehydration can hurt your kidneys overtime (1), so drink up!

Avoid the Biggest Keto Hydration Mistake

Of course, fluids are very important to hydration, no matter how you eat. But, electrolytes are the key to keto hydration.

Why?

First, they are excreted with the glycogen grams of water.

Second, electrolytes in your fluids help your digestive tract absorb them.

Third, electrolytes are vital to life. They are minerals that enable many functions in the body, including muscle contraction, heart contraction, hydration of the whole body and brain, nerve function, digestion, and much more (2). If you’ve ever been extremely dehydrated or low on electrolytes, you know your body will dysfunction in a hurry.

The most important and most impacted mineral electrolytes are sodium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

Ever Experienced Keto Flu? It’s the Missing Electrolytes

As you get into the Keto Zone®, electrolytes tend to rebalance without the glycogen. But, if you’re just beginning, or cycling in and out of ketosis, you’re at risk of low electrolytes again and again.

Low electrolyte status is also known as the Keto Flu.

As electrolyte levels fall, you can begin to feel symptoms of heart racing, headaches, poor digestion, and more. This is just an adjustment period, but it can be avoided. And, you can easily keep electrolytes balanced in general while in Keto Zone.

The Low-Down on Keto Hydration Electrolytes

Since you’ll no longer carry electrolytes in glycogen, it’s imperative you replenish them through your diet.

Here’s how:

1. Sodium: You can simply add more salt. Although salt, in general, has a bad name, it’s a vital mineral electrolyte and simply needs to be consumed according to your diet and lifestyle. Keto Zone eaters need more; athletes need more. You can drink bone broth or a zero-carb electrolyte drink for added sodium.
2. Potassium: With a good variety of foods in your diet, you can easily obtain potassium through whole foods. Eat salmon, nuts, avocados, veggies, and mushrooms to get enough.
3. Calcium: Calcium is also readily available in the Keto Zone®. You can get calcium in fortified non-dairy milk, like coconut milk and almond milk, in high-fat dairy products, like Greek Yogurt, and in dark leafy greens, broccoli, and fish. If you choose to supplement, make sure you’re also consuming vitamin D.
4. Magnesium: Magnesium is incredibly important (3), and often deficient mineral in adults. It’s found in hemp heart seeds, raw cacao, leafy greens, and more. However, it’s not easily absorbed by humans and may need supplementation. If concerned about magnesium levels, read 7 Signs of a Magnesium Deficiency.
5. Electrolytes in Balance: A great way to get a baseline of electrolytes (with the exception of sodium) in a balanced formulation is to also add Dr. Colbert’s Enhanced Mutlivitamin each day!

How Much Fluid & Electrolytes Do You Really Need?

So, how much fluid should you drink? How should you add electrolytes?

1. For most in the Keto Zone®, you can simply aim for 64-80 oz. fluids per day. You can usually accomplish this by drinking to thirst. Older adults are typically more at risk for dehydration (4). Make sure to consume at least this amount of fluids throughout the day.
2. Then, unless you have high blood pressure, consume salt with meals and add 1-2 daily servings of bone broth, boullion, or zero-carb electrolyte drinks while re-entering the Keto Zone®. Then, add a daily dose of Dr. Colbert’s Enhanced Mutlivitamin.
3. Make sure to eat a variety of high potassium, calcium, and magnesium foods. Most adults should also supplement with 200-400 mg of magnesium per day.
4. If you notice you’re sweating when working outside or exercising, add 24-32 oz. fluid and 600-800 mg sodium for every hour of your workout. This does not need to be consumed during the workout, but before, during as needed, and after is fine. You can use low-carb electrolyte drinks, like NUUN, if desired for exercise.
5. Be diligent after any period out of the Keto Zone®. You’ll go through the glycogen-depleting phase again, and need to supplement with extra electrolytes to avoid the Keto Flu.

Bottom Line

It’s getting hot out there. This means it’s time to stay on top of your keto hydration. Form a plan to drink enough each day. Don’t forget electrolytes; add electrolyte drinks, bone broth and Dr. Colbert’s Enhanced Mutlivitamin. Then, have a hydrated, safe, and healthy summer in the Keto Zone.

The post Keto Hydration: How Much Fluid Do You Really Need? appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.

Here are the top 5:

1. Fresh Herbs on Everything

Whether you have a full-fledged garden, a simple container set-up, or just support your local grocer or farmer’s market, summer is prime time to use fresh herbs. What’s more, there are many Keto Zone dips, sauces, and condiments that highlight fresh herbs and take a dish to the next flavor level.

Fresh herbs are incredibly good for you. They boast antioxidants, phytochemicals, anti-inflammatory agents and more(1). Two herbs that double as nutrition stars are basil and parsley. Here are 2 easy recipes you can whip up in a jiffy and spread on almost any dish.

Easy Keto Zone Pesto: Place 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves, 2 cloves garlic, ¼ cup pine nuts, and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice in a food processor or blender. Process until  coarsely chopped. Add 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil. Process until fully incorporated and smooth. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste. Optionally, add in 1/3 cup shredded parmesan and mix thoroughly.

Keto Zone Chimichurri: Mix 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley, 3-4 cloves minced garlic, 2 small red chilies (chopped finely and seeded), 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 level  teaspoon coarse salt, and pepper (to taste) in a bowl. Allow to set at least 2 hours before enjoying.

2. Keto Zone BBQ,  Picnics, and Road Trip Summer Food Trends

Nothing quite says summer like barbeques, picnics, and road trips. Thankfully, it’s easy to live the Keto Zone lifestyle while enjoying all of these activities. Here’s a full compilation of easy keto zone options and tips:

Barbeques: There are many great Keto Zone cookout options. From appetizers to drinks to desserts, here’s a great list that will help you keep it in the Keto Zone: Summer Keto Zone Cookout Menu & Tips

Picnics: Did you know there are many Keto Zone Sandwich recipes? It’s true! Try these for your next picnic: 

Amazing Keto Zone Sandwiches

Keto Zone Picnic Menu

Road Trips: Sometimes, a vacation feels like more work than it’s worth when trying to stick to a food plan. This doesn’t have to be the case with Keto Zone. Relax and try these vacation and road trip Keto Zone tips:  Top Keto Zone Vacation Tips

3. Optimal Summer Hydration

Dehydration and heat-related fatigue are common issues in hot summer months. When you’re in the Keto Zone, especially when you’re first trying to get into ketosis, dehydration is a greater risk. Why?

As you cut out carbs, your body will no longer make as much insulin (or course, this is a good thing!). Without insulin to help store carbs, glycogen becomes depleted. For every gram of glycogen lost, 3 grams of water are excreted. In fact, your kidneys must work overtime to keep up.  

There are advantages. First, you will feel less bloated. However, you may also feel dehydrated. It’s paramount to hydrate with both fluids and electrolytes. What’s more, older adults are typically more at risk for dehydration (2).

The best way to maintain optimal hydration in the summer months is to add a daily dose of Instant Ketones with water or other fluids. Each serving adds an optimal amount of sodium and exogenous ketones to help you get into and stay in the Keto Zone. Then, hydrate well throughout the day with water and green tea.

For full tips on avoiding dehydration in the Keto Zone this summer, click here. 

4. Fresh Salads and Veggies

Along with fresh herbs, fresh vegetables are among the healthiest summer food trends. You can get in on the action! Low-carb Keto Zone veggies include:

•         Cauliflower
•         Broccoli
•         Mushrooms
•         Green Beans
•         Asparagus
•         Bok Choy
•         Leek
•         Spinach & Green Leafy Vegetables
•         Avocado
•         Zucchini
•         Eggplant
•         Radish
•         Cabbage
•         Brussels Sprouts

It’s easy to add more vegetables to your day. Try:

•         Adding fresh veggies to any egg dish at breakfast.
•         Use vegetable leaves in place of sandwich breads and wraps.
•         Grill vegetables for dinner.
•         Cover half your plate with salad every night. Then, drizzle with olive oil to add fat and stay in the Keto Zone.
•         Never miss a daily dose of Fermented Green SupremefoodⓇ. This amazing green powder includes organic vegetables, chlorella, milk thistle, and more to keep your body detoxified, energized, and feeling great!
•         Try these 5 Hacks to add more Keto Zone vegetables!

5. Fresh Fruit Desserts

While many people think they have to avoid fruits to stay in the Keto Zone, you can actually take full advantage of many summer fruits without detriment. Of course, you must mind the portion. Take the “less is more” approach and enjoy Keto Zone friendly fruit desserts like berries and cream.

 Why add them?

Berries are a true superfood packed with antioxidants called anthocyanins and more in a low-carb package. In fact, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries promote brain health, healthy blood pressure, heart health, cancer prevention, and more (3). Enjoy them by mixing 1/4 cup berries and 1/4 cup heavy cream. 

Want more fruit? Here are 4 other Keto Zone friendly fruits to add this summer.

Lastly, include one serving of Organic Red SupremefoodⓇ. This delicious powder contains probiotics and 9 USDA Organic Fruits in a low-carb formula. Among all the Keto Zone summer food trends, this might be the easiest!

Bottom Line

There’s no better time than summer to focus on healthy, fresh food. With these top summer food trends, you can stay in the Keto Zone and enjoy everything summer has to offer. Keep it low-carb, fresh, and delicious this summer!

The post Top 5 Keto Zone Summer Food Trends appeared first on Keto Zone® | Dr. Don Colbert, MD.