“All good things must come to an end.” Really? Not sure who originally said this – but I think there needs to be a second sentence; such as, “to make room for more good things!”. And that is how I have decided to deal with the end of summer. Instead of thinking about the days getting shorter and the weather colder (….DEPRESSING), I will focus on all the exciting possibilities that lie ahead in the fall and to take some of that summer attitude with me. Why is it in the summer we spend more time with friends and family? Disconnect more from social media? (OK – maybe for me not so much!) Engage more in outdoor activities? Eat more fruits and veggies, and hydrate more often? It’s because we make it happen!!! So instead of saying goodbye begrudgingly to summer – I am saying HELLOOOO fall with open arms! Now if only the weather would cooperate.
This week in The Keri Report:
* You Ask, We Answer: Hydration
* Blake Lively Says She Cut Out Soy To Lose Weight
* 7 Ways Registered Dietitians “Treat” Themselves
Photo by Keri Gans
You Ask: We Answer
Question from reader Carla: I hate water, but know how important it is to drink it. Is there anything else I can drink that counts as hydration?
Answer: Here’s the thing: Yes, our body needs water to survive. It is used by all our cells, organs and tissues to help control our body’s temperature and other important functions. But there are many other ways to stay hydrated without drinking actual water:
1. Add fresh fruit to your water; i.e. slices of lemon, lime or orange; or cut-up strawberries, watermelon or pineapple. Herbs like ginger, basil and mint can also provide your water with lots of flavor. Ideally, instead of just putting the fruit/herbs in your glass, I would put your ingredients in a glass water jug and let sit for a while in the refrigerator to really enhance the taste.
2. One of my standard go-tos is an orange juice spritzer. Even though I love water, I sometimes find this combo to be more refreshing. I take ¼ cup of Florida’s Natural Brand OJ* and ¾ of a cup of an unflavored seltzer and simply mix together. By only using ¼ cup juice, I cut back on calories and allow myself to have more than one per day. And beside the hydration, OJ also provides me with the powerful antioxidant vitamin C, which may help with collagen production (important for healthy skin; and who doesn’t want that?) and for boosting my overall immune system. A win-win.
3. Coffee and teas are definitely hydrating. If you are going with caffeinated choices, no worries – it still counts. The only thing I caution against is adding lots of sugar and fat since that will contribute too many calories and perhaps override its hydration benefits.
4. Soups also count toward hydration. In the summer, a cold gazpacho could be ideal, or in the winter a steaming hot bowl of vegetable soup. Here too, in addition to hydration, you could be reaping the nutritional benefits of your soup’s ingredients. But please pass on the soups with lots of added cream and butter.
5. Last, don’t forget that actual fresh fruit and veggies count for hydration. A crisp apple, bowl of melon, or a mixed green salad are just some of the many examples to choose from.
PS: Hunger can sometimes be mistaken for thirst, so don’t wait till you are thirsty to drink up. This becomes especially important when it is no longer hot outside and you are less likely to be thirsty.
* Disclosure: Florida’s Natural Brand is a partner of mine. They are the only top producer of OJ in the U.S. that uses 100% Florida oranges!
Photo by Elena Veselova/Shutterstock.com
Blake Lively Says She Cut Soy To Lose Weight – But Does That Really Work?
Here’s the deal; we should not look toward a celebrity to be our role model in healthy eating. I am not saying that many of them don’t eat well, but there are SO many other factors that go into losing weight. Hey, I loved Blake on Gossip Girl (well, mostly), think her new pink lipstick from L’Oreal is worth trying, BUT as for diet advice she is not my girl. Read my interview on Women’s Health for what I think really works.
Photo by Bart Labiner
7 Ways Registered Dietitians “Treat” Themselves
Why o why do I hate the word “treat” when it comes to food, yet don’t hate it when it comes to taking care of myself? When first asked for a quote from Self Magazine on this story, I thought “yoga is my treat”; it feels great and it is good for me! OR when I get my nails done, a facial or a massage – isn’t that treating myself? But hey, I know that wasn’t what the journalist was looking for. She wanted a food OR beverage… so read on to see what I (and other RDs) told her. Spoiler alert: mine doesn’t include chocolate, but rather an olive :)))