Hydration Matters!

Now that Team Challenge is in the 5th week of our 16 weeks of training, hydration and calorie intake are more important than ever. The miles are starting to pile up. Team Challenge trainer Jeff Schafer strongly urges the runners to get used to taking in fluids and extra calories before, during, and after training runs. This advice is to maximize your performance while taxing your body during physical activity.

I would like to concentrate on hydration in this entry. Calorie intake will follow later, although it is just as important!

Many of my teammates have to get used to the regimen of taking in extra fluids. Since I have had “short gut” for close to 15 years taking in extra fluids is an everyday occurrence whether I am training or not. I must maintain optimum hydration level to keep me well. I also must monitor the types of fluids I take in. Jeff stresses either water or sports drinks for extra fluid. This is perfect for someone with a healthy intestinal anatomy, or a Crohn’s/Colitis patient with no, or limited, loss of their bowel. The body will absorb the required fluid along the entire intestinal path. My anatomy will not afford me that luxury.

Water does not quench my thirst or hydrate me, in fact, it serves as a diuretic and pulls fluid from my system. Since I have so small intestine left, 20 inches, I have to choose wisely what fluids I put into my system in order to maintain a healthy hydration status. If I choose the wrong fluid, my hydration status can go the opposite way. I will become more dehydrated, and possibly put my internal organs in jeopardy. This is not good!

I have become a “mad scientist” over the years, in that I have learned to alter drinks recipes so that my body will optimize the absorption in my system.ThriveRx, my home health care company, educates their patients very well on hydration therapy. Hopefully, the other patients understand how important this is. Our trainers hammer the point home as much as they can.

This is how I was inspired to do the……..Not So Blind Taste Test

You all have seen, or heard of the “Blind Taste Test” that one food/drink company stages against its competitor(s), right? Well, I am currently conducting a “Not So Blind Taste Test” on the hydration drinks that are available for short gut patients. Certainly, everyone’s taste differs, but I will provide my take on its taste, its performance, and how my system handles the drink. Your results may vary…

1) Gatorade -This drink is formulated to optimize the athlete’s performance. It used to be the only sports drink on the block. Now there are several, and really, the basic formulation is generally the same. Straight up it has too much sugar content for me. The sugar in it accelerates my digestion time, and it does not stay with me long enough to utilize the benefits the drink offers. In other words, “It goes right through me!”

To cut down on the excessive sugar content, I cut the drink in half with water, and in a 20oz. bottle, I add 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Since my body craves sodium, this drink still tastes sweet enough for me. The average person will probably experience, “Bitter beer face” when they drink this. Not everyone can palette this. Bailey, however, drinks mine occasionally and her face looks fine.

In order to infuse some excitement in my life, I have combined every imaginable combination of Gatorade flavors you can think of just to change it up. If I quit my day job I could become a mixologist at the Gatorade Institute!

2) Hoist (Rapid Rehydration Fluid) -This is a new product that may still have a regional offering at the moment. It was the brainstorm of 5 high school buddies, now well into their careers, to combat the pain, and dehydration, due to a hangover. I am sure every post graduate college student is kicking themselves saying, “Why didn’t I think of that!”

This drink has a citrus taste with a hint of carbonation in it. The Sodium & Potassium content is much higher than sports drinks. The sugar content is about the same. I have not cut this drink in half with water yet, but do plan to try it. For further info, check out the website.

3) ORS (Oral Rehydration Salts) -This product comes in powder form in a pre-measured packet. The manufacturer is Jianas Bros. in Kansas City, Missouri. Just mix it with 1 liter of water, and the product will provide the perfect balance to re-hydrate your body.

The drink by itself has zero flavor. If you can handle it that way it would be the best way. Adding a flavoring, such as Crystal Light, would enhance the flavor, however, I don’t like to use the artificial sweeteners/flavorings because I don’t like the extra “laboratory” ingredients. I am not fond of ingesting ingredients that I cannot pronounce.

4) Ultima Replenisher -This product was brought to my attention from a fellow teammate, Mark Weiss, who has Colitis. Mark experiences hydration challenges as I do. He drinks Ultima all the time and recommends it. I received some samples from Mark and tried it.

My initial test was that it was a little tough for my taste buds, and went through me a little faster than some other drinks that I use. Just as your dog needs to get used to a food change. I think I should introduce this drink slowly and monitor how my body reacts.

The product comes in a powder, is all natural, and sugar-free (a very good thing for short gut!). Check out the website at:www.ultimareplenisher.com

You can purchase the product on their website. Mark mentioned that he orders his from Amazon a little cheaper. I will test this product at length because I feel it will have great benefits for me, plus my taste buds will probably adjust to the flavor.

Stay tuned for additional comments as

I taste test other drinks……..

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