Healthy Gatorade Alternatives: Homemade Sports Drinks for Athletes

Dr. Robert Cade created Gatorade in 1965 at the University of Florida. It has ridden an incredible wave of popularity with other products designed for consumption by amateur athletes. Consumers who prefer not to drink a processed food that contains high fructose corn syrup, artificial colorings and flavorings or preservatives can make a homemade sports drink with simple ingredients.

• Make your own homemade Gatorade alternative with 10 tbsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp. sea salt, 1 package unsweetened flavored drink mix (orange, lemon-lime or other flavors) and water to make 2 liters. This will approximate Gatorade's eight-ounce serving size of carbohydrate, sodium, potassium and calories.

• Fill a water or sports bottle with equal amounts of water and your preferred juice. Add a pinch of organic sea salt and shake well. Using organic sea salt rather than ordinary table salt provides potassium, iodine, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese and other minerals.

• Substitute green tea or herbal tea for fruit juice when juice is not available. Add sea salt to provide electrolytes and honey to sweeten to taste. Consume the beverage hot or chilled.

• Eat hydrated foods or foods that provide electrolytes after exercising. Foods such as watermelon, cucumbers, honeydew and cantaloupe contain water, sugar and electrolytes. Vegetable broth and chicken soup are excellent electrolyte sources.