Hydration Station, Summer Party Survival Guide and More

June 30, 2014


Hydration Station

Drink up!

(Photo courtesy Thinkstock.com)

Water is so much more than just a thirst quencher. Here are six reasons to drink more of it this summer.

1)
It washes your skin from the inside out. Drinking water flushes out acne-causing toxins, leaving you with beautifully clear skin.

2)
It helps you stay regular. When you’re dehydrated, your body pulls water from your stool, which can lead to constipation. No one wants that! Drinking water helps keep things moving.

3)
It fights fatigue. Whether it’s school or dance, an extra bottle of water can help you power through that last part of class.

4)
It prevents mood swings. Feeling especially irritable? You may be dehydrated. Grab a glass of water to lighten up.

 

5)
It helps you practice self-control. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger. Get enough water, and you’ll be less likely to overeat.

6)
It protects your joints and muscles. Water makes them more pliable and less likely to strain or tear.

Did you know?

Eating slowly may help you eat more consciously. According to a study in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, eating slowly gives your body more time to sense when it’s full—and to stop before it’s too full. Slow eaters might also consume more water throughout a meal, which adds to their feelings of fullness.

Summer Party Survival Guide

Fire up the grill—it’s barbecue season! DS talked to Peggy Swistak, registered dietitian for Pacific Northwest Ballet, for advice on how to enjoy a day of BBQ-hopping while still getting the nutrition you need to fuel your dancer body.

(Photo courtesy Thinkstock.com)

Eat before you go
. Grab a piece of fruit, a small salad or a yogurt to get your day of eating started on a healthy note.

Keep an eye on portions
. Swistak recommends sticking to half a cup, about the size of your fist, for scoopable items, and a palm-sized portion for protein. Fruits and veggies? “Go nuts,” Swistak says.

Skip seconds
. It’s often that second plate that sends you from satisfied to uncomfortably full.

Take control of your food
. “Consider setting aside the more fatty components of a dish, such as the skin on chicken or the top crust on pie,” Swistak says. Plus, if you take a bite of something and don’t like it, you don’t have to finish it.

Steer clear of the scale
. One meal won’t make you gain weight—anything the scale shows post-BBQ is most likely water. “So calm down and enjoy yourself,” Swistak says. “Just don’t go crazy!”

Mosquito bite
? Tame the itch with an icepack. It will numb the nerves for immediate relief while also reducing inflammation.

(Photo courtesy Thinkstock.com)