I should have talked about this under my pregnancy post because it helped me so much with my restless legs and heart palpitations during pregnancy. This stuff is nature's Gatorade...only a million times better. It's Coconut Water (I know, me and my coconut stuff, right?)
It is packed full of Potassium and Magnesium, two things that are needed to prevent muscle cramps and help with restless legs. Magnesium has been shown to help with heart palpitations and racing heart beats. You can take these minerals in pill form, but you'll get the most benefit getting them from natural sources.
Most sport drinks are just water, high fructose corn syrup, artificial color and a little salt. Sure, you lose sodium when you sweat, but you lose other valuable minerals too. Coconut Water also has naturally occurring calcium, phosphorus, and iron! It's naturally sweet and very thirst quenching. It's a bit expensive, but I believe it's worth it. A large bottle/box is about $5 and has several servings in it. There are also blends of it and other juices like mango and passionfruit. I drank 2 passionfruit coconut waters after giving birth to my last baby and it was SOOOO satisfying. I would recommend packing a few in your hospital bag to take with you when you have your baby! Nothing the hospital can give you will replenish those lost electrolytes like coconut water!
Another good way to get your electrolyte/minerals is to use trace minerals. You take just a few drops a day. Personally, I can't stand the taste. Maybe there's a good tasting trace mineral supplement out there that I don't know about, but I'm yet to find it. The makers of Emergen-C, Alacer, make an electrolyte powder which tastes pretty good. I used to use it before I discovered coconut water. I would take some sort of electrolyte replacement,especially if you're sweating a lot during exercise or summer heat. Electrolytes are important in every function of the body, including our life-pumping heart!
Man, I wish I lived on an island where coconuts were a dime a dozen! They're so amazing! I use coconut oil, coconut butter, coconut milk, coconut creamer, and coconut water! I even eat coconut ice cream when I have a sweet tooth! I heart coconuts forever!
7 comments:
mmm!! We recently discovered coconut water in our no dairy house (for all around health and my husband is allergic...actually we do use raw cheese, raw milk is just too expensive). I have had some luck getting coconut water at Whole foods on sale 2 for $4 (32oz Organic SO Delicious brand). But I haven't been able to find it any cheaper than that.
Off topic question I was hoping you would have an answer to...
I have a highly acidic stomach. I have been advised to take DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) and it works pretty well...however, it is the most disgusting thing I have ever put in my mouth. Anything you know of that soothes the stomach lining without tasting like a licorice cigarette ashtray?
They do make DGL in capsule form, or at least they used to:) I know that Enzymatic Therapy used to make one and maybe Natural Factors.
Amanda - I have been reading your blog for a few weeks or so now and LOVE it! FINALLY another DeKalbian who understands the wonders of God's creations. In the past year or so I have become more and more green in regards to the environment and my body, as well as taking more natural vitamins and supplements. You'll have to share with me how you help your family to understand. From my experience, my small town and closed minded family doesn't often understand my actions and steps I take to live a greener and healthier, more natural life.
P.S. I bought coconut water for the first time and loved it! Keep writing! I will definitely keep reading!!
-Lindsey (Moran) Partington
Hi Amanda ~ LOVE your blog! LOTS of knowledge that we ALL can use! Just curious...do you ever use Coconut Oil on your skin? Blessings ~ JO
Lindsay,
I've always been kinda weird for a Dekalbian, so it hasn't been a problem for me really. No ones ever really understood me. Hahaha!
But, slowly word gets around and especially now that alternative medicine has gotten more mainstream (Oprah, Dr. Oz, etc) I've had old friends and cousins calling me and asking me what to take. My parents take a lot of supplements too. They haven't changed their diet though :(
Jo,
I use coconut oil on my skin all the time. I have an entire post on it's benefits and uses. I rub it on my kiddos too. It make them smell so yummy and feel so soft!
Hey Amanda, I have found a love for bike riding again after many years out of the saddle. In the process I have found that my body does not recover as quickly as it once did from the ride. My legs would feel tired and shaky for more than a day afterwards, unless I did the Gatorade trick, but like you wasn't fond of all the junk in the bottle.
Coconut Water was the answer I found as well. I am still searching for the product I like the best, but I will testify that it does restore what is needed after a hard workout.
God Bless
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