Top 4 Ways to Help Stay Hydrated This Summer with Florida OJ

Summer is in the air and so is the heat! Staying hydrated is so vital because the hot summer sun can be very draining and can not only cause dehydration but also heat stroke. Maintaining regular recommended amounts of water intake is vital. As adults it is recommended to drink eight 8-oz of water a day. And according to Healthychildren.org, “to stay well hydrated, children ages 1-3 years need approximately 4 cups of beverages per day, including water or milk. This increases for older kids to around 5 cups for 4-8 year olds, and 7-8 cups for older children.” Adequate hydration is imperative for the body to maintain proper functioning, which includes maintaining body temperature, regulating blood pressure, and transporting nutrients throughout the body. That’s why I’m partnering with Florida Orange Juice for some fun, delicious, out of the box ways to stay hydrated this summer. We’re excited to share them with you so you can try them too!

 

 

It’s key to make sure you are also incorporating beverages with high water content, such a Florida Orange Juice, which is made of almost 90% water. Florida Orange Juice can help support hydration because it naturally contains several electrolytes, including potassium and magnesium in smaller amounts. Bonus hydration benefits are packaged with other essential nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and thiamin! And Florida OJ contains higher amounts of electrolytes, like potassium, than your average sports drink. Electrolytes are critical for the human body to function, and since plain water contains few if any electrolytes, we must replace any lost electrolytes that happens naturally each day from the heat, exercise, and sweat by consuming foods or beverages that contain these nutrients.

 

 

My family and I love to spend time outdoors in the summertime, whether it’s going on a walk in the neighborhood, exploring nature on a hike in the hills, playing at the park, spending the day at the beach, or even going on a bike ride. We try to spend as much time as we can outside for the fresh air and extra Vitamin D, but also always take frequent hydration breaks, no matter what activity we are doing on any particular day. When we do, we will typically have water on hand, but also have some Florida OJ in a cooler to help stay hydrated and maintain those electrolytes and nutrients, so we can keep being active throughout the day.

 

We also love spending time in the kitchen together. Not only is it therapeutic to cook and create, it is also a chance to have deeper conversations as a family and bond together over recipes. Cooking is such a sentimental activity, and recipes in our family have been passed down from one generation to the next, so spending time in the kitchen as a family is an investment and a great way to create long lasting memories and traditions that will be passed down to our children in years to come. So whether we are having a backyard BBQ or an intimate family meal around the dinner table, we try to incorporate our children in the process as much as possible. Plus, most children love to cook and make different creations from scratch! It’s a great learning tool and life skill to learn! My kids love making orange juice smoothies and popsicles with me, especially in the summertime when it’s so hot outside! There is something very intriguing and scientific about a liquid turning into a frozen solid and solids mixing into a liquid drink that they find fascinating!

 

 

 

 

Florida Orange Juice Pops

 

This has been my children’s favorite treat this summer!! Not only are these pops quick and easy to make, they are delicious, nutritious, and help keep us hydrated!

 

Directions:

 

Fill pop cups 3/4 to the top with Florida Orange Juice

Add fresh fruit of your choice (we chose raspberries and blackberries)

 

 

Florida OJ Fruity Mint Mocktail

 

Are you looking for a fun drink to make for yourself, the kids, or some guests coming over this summer? You’ll have to try my fruity Mocktail creation that includes 1 cup of Florida OJ that everyone will love!

 

Directions:

 

Start with 1 cup of Florida Orange Juice

Add some sliced strawberries (optional)

Add about 1/4 cup of a carbonated water of your choice

Add fresh mint and strawberry as garnish

 

 

 

 

Morning Smoothie with Florida OJ

 

Smoothies are a family favorite and are super quick and easy to make.

 

Directions:

 

Blend 1 cup Florida Orange Juice with:

1 banana

1/4 cup pineapple

1/4 cup plant-based milk or protein powder (optional for taste or thickness)

 

 

 

One Serving of Florida Orange Juice

 

Looking for delicious, nutritious hydration without the bells and whistles? Enjoy a classic cup of Florida OJ all by itself! The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children age 1-6 have no more than 4-6 ounces of juice per day and older children have no more than 8 ounces so adjust OJ servings accordingly for your kids.

 

And when you spend time being active outdoors this summer, please make sure to take hydration breaks and replenish with water and electrolytes you naturally lose throughout the day to prevent dehydration. And look for signs of dehydration in yourself and your children, which include symptoms of thirst, fatigue, darkening and reduction of urine, and may affect cognition and motor control.

 

What other creative and refreshing ways do you think you can help hydrate with Florida OJ this summer?

 

This post is sponsored by Florida Orange Juice but all opinions and photos are my own.