[Hammer]

Okay so I started another construction job last Monday. We work four 10 hour days. It's very hot inside the building and I bring 8 bottles of water with me every day....and usually drink all of them. Well Friday was the first day off after working the week, and when I got up, I felt slightly dizzy and shaky. My BG levels were good (74) so I didn't pay it much attention.

When I got up Saturday, I felt even shakier and somewhat nauseous. I went to get my haircut and I felt very weak. It dawned on me that I was dehydrated. I didn't feel thirsty, but I've been dehydrated once before and it felt just like this. I stopped on my way home from getting my haircut and picked up two one gallon jugs of Gatorade. When I got home, I sat in front of the computer reading different forums and drank the Gatorade. I drank one whole gallon bottle of Gatorade in about 50 minutes and I wanted more, so I switched to water.

I read the Gatorade label and it said that there were 14 grams of carbs in an 8 ounce serving. I drank 128 ounces, so that means I ingested 224 carbs....way more than I normally take in. I decided to drink Gatorade because it replenishes your body with electrolytes that water doesn't have. I checked my BG levels about 90 minutes after I had finished the Gatorade and my BG numbers were 86? I thought they'd have been through the roof, but they were only 86.

Would being dehydrated cause this? I wouldn't think so, but I've never tested after being dehydrated, so I have no way of knowing. I'll probably drink the second gallon of Gatorade today....hopefully to keep me from feeling weak Monday at work.

[Penny]

I also get dehydrated easily. I feel like I am low sometimes when I am dehydrated, I usually am not, but it feels like it. I drink a lot of PowerAde Zero, even take one with me when I go grocery shopping....no carbs and some vitimin B.

[Noturningback]

Dr. Bernstein suggests to each quart of liquid add:

Exatly but NO MORE THAN 1 level teaspoon table salt (1/2 tsp if it tastes too salty) (provides sodium & chloride)
Exactly but NO MORE THAN 1/4 teaspoon salt substitute (provides potassium and chloride)


There is G2 (think Gatorade's low carb/low cal version of Gaterade) However it still has carbs so, you need to watch how much you drink still.

~Danielle

[Noturningback]

Special note:

Do not use Gatorade or salt substitute if you have kidney problems, don’t! If you have kidney failure, or kidney problems of any kind DO NOT (repeat: do not) start adding salt-substitute potassium to your food without your doctor’s supervision! Extra potassium is handled pretty well in people with healthy kidneys, but can be very dangerous in people with struggling kidneys.

OR

If you are using potassium sparing drugs (some hypertension medication)

Check with your doctor first!

~Danielle