Pulling Down the Moon

Staying Hydrated this Summer

June 10, 2019

We all know the importance of staying hydrated, but some of struggle more than others with this task. In the spring and summer months, it’s much easier to become dehydrated as we spend more time outside in the sun and heat. The Institute of Medicine recommends 91 oz (2.7 liters) fluids daily, and this requirement goes up to 100 oz (3 liters) during pregnancy. Of course, there are some variations in fluid needs based on body size with smaller bodies needing less fluid than larger bodies. These fluid requirements may seem high, but they include fluids from beverages and from food. About 80% of our fluid intake comes from beverages, so that means you should aim for about 72 oz fluid beverage when not pregnant and about 80 oz while pregnant. Monitoring the color of your urine and aiming for pale yellow urine is a good way to ensure you’re staying hydrated. During the summer heat, we need to replace the fluids lost through sweating, so this further increases fluid needs.


While trying to conceive or pregnant, our choices of fluids become somewhat more limited, as it’s best to avoid alcohol and caffeine. Of course, water is always a great choice, but understandably sometimes we want other options. Try these tips to stay hydrated this summer:


  • Focus on naturally caffeine-free beverages like water or water infused with fresh mint, cucumber, or fresh fruit.
  • Unsweetened coconut water is a great source of electrolytes and can be helpful for making mocktails.
  • Eat more soups and fresh fruits and vegetables, which naturally provide water.
  • As a substitute for alcohol, try drinking club soda or sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice and a lemon or lime slice.
  • Instead of coffee or caffeinated tea, try unsweetened non-dairy milk like almond milk or flax milk with a little vanilla and/or cinnamon and/or cocoa powder. Add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for a little bit of sweetness.
  • Peppermint and ginger tea (and our ARTeas in-center!) are safe herbal tea choices for trying to conceive and during pregnancy. Drink them hot or iced.
  • If you have trouble drinking enough fluids, try using a straw and take small sips throughout the day.
  • If you’re having trouble getting in enough fluids, it can also be helpful to track your fluid intake with an app, or simply by using a water bottle of known size. For example, if you have a 16 oz water bottle, if you drink 4.5 water bottles, then you’ll meet your 72 oz from beverages.
  • It can also be helpful to divide the day into 2 sections. For example, try getting in half of your water needs before 2 pm. If you haven’t met your first half of the day goal by 1:30 pm, it’s time to drink up. This can help you be more consistent with spreading your fluids out throughout the day.


Book your virtual nutrition consultation or call us at 312-321-0004 for more information.

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Tips for Spring Restoration

February 18, 2025
Spring arrives next month, and with it, more cold days (perhaps even snow)! But March also brings the promise of new life. We love this time of year. The ground starts to smell fresh and ripe. Small green buds begin to swell from the earth reaching up, up, up. Birds chatter in the trees. The sun stays in the sky a little longer each day. After a long, cold winter of hibernation, spring restores nature’s beauty. Spring inspires us to restore ourselves, too and these self-care techniques will lead you to restoration of mind, body and spirit. Hydrate. Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Keeping yourself hydrated helps boost your mood, improves brain power and protects you against disease. Make a gratitude list. Spending just a few minutes a day writing down what you are grateful for can dramatically shift your day. The more gratitude you have, the more open to abundance you become. Breathe. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice breathing. There are so many benefits! Among them, diaphragmatic breathing alleviates stress, reduces pain, strengthens internal muscles and moves blood to organs and tissues. If you’re not sure how to get started, try our Breathe & Restore Workshop or schedule an Soothe the Senses: Calm the Nervous System Fertility Enhancing Massage™ to receive some hands-on breath work coaching. Stretch. Five to 10 minutes of stretching in the morning increases energy levels, enhances circulation, reduces injury and centers your mind. Even better is a regular yoga practice. Get started by downloading the Fully Fertile App today to give you a jump start! Our next Signature Yoga for Fertility Series begins on Monday, February 24th to reduce anxiety and stress by 20% or more in just six weeks. Eliminate something from your diet that isn’t serving you. I nstead of overhauling your entire diet, start by taking out one food that doesn’t nourish your body. Replace it with a different item that supports your desire for restoration. Learn even more by working with scheduling a nutrition consult ! We look forward to seeing you virtually or in-person at one of our centers to help you get started. Many wishes for a beautiful spring!
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