With no added sugar, this refreshing sparkler is a wonderful way to hydrate and enjoy the fresh tastes of pink grapefruit and pineapple. Plus, my best hydration tips! Thank you to Blendtec for helping me to share this recipe with you.
If you have been following along on my Facebook page, you'll know that today is the first day of the Healthy New Year Six-Week Challenge that I'm co-hosting with my friend, Liz of The Lemon Bowl. If you're not here for the challenge, but just want a gulp of this grapefruit and pineapple sparkler, that's okay, too. Gulp away!
We're kicking off the challenge with one of the most important things you can do for your body: hydration!
Hydration has always been a struggle for me, mostly because I get too busy during the day and forget to refill my glass of water. But I pay for that forgetfulness...big time! Headaches, food cravings (when I'm not really hungry), dry skin, limp hair and general fatigue. A dehydrated "me" is not a pleasant or particularly attractive person to be around. My answer is my beloved SodaStream. For some reason, sparkling water goes down a lot easier for me than plain water, except when I'm running. Every day, I fill two bottles, fizz them up and sip the sparkling water throughout the day.
As I increased my exercise, the need to hydrate became even more important. Not only did my downfalls in drinking affect my everyday life, but I was hitting the proverbial wall far too early in my runs.
"All because of a little water?" you ask.
Yep. Our bodies are made of 60% water, and that water is responsible for carrying nutrients through our bodies and keeping our organs in good working order. But did you know that not all of your hydration need come from water? Let's talk about that further.
But first...
The recipe:
Not only do I love the flavors of pink grapefruit and pineapple, but they both have high water contents. And with pink grapefruits in season and at their sweetest right now, there is no need to add extra sweeteners. Just pure fruit in this baby!
I squeezed the juice from two pink grapefruits and poured it into my favorite Blendtec blender with the frozen pineapple chunks (seriously, this thing can puree anything!) and grated ginger. I used a combination of the "Whole Juice" and "Smoothie" modes to achieve a really smooth consistency. No need to strain the mixture afterwards!
If you're just making a sparkler for yourself, use half of the juice puree and store the rest in the fridge until next time. Pour the puree into a glass and add the sparkling water, along with some ice. Voilà - a refreshing, hydrating beverage! Scroll down for the full recipe.
How much water is enough?
According to the Mayo Clinic, men should consume about 13 cups (3 liters) of water per day and the recommendation for women is about 9 cups (2.2 liters) per day. However, this varies based upon several factors, including amount of exercise, environment (hot/cold, humid/dry) and general health. If your urine is light yellow, you're hydrated. If it's any darker, grab a glass of water!
I can't tell you exactly how much water to drink each day because I don't know your personal circumstances (and I'm not a dietitian), but Liz and I challenge you to increase your water intake to help you feel healthier and to improve your energy!
How can I increase my hydration?
Water:
Yes, water is the best and purest way to hydrate. Some tricks that have worked for me are drinking a glass of water before a snack or meal, taking sips of water between every 1 or 2 bites and squeezing some lemon or lime into my water.
Fruits, vegetables and juices:
The wise people at the Mayo Clinic also tell us that about 20% of our daily hydration needs can be met with food. Some fruits and vegetables contain more water than others. For example, grapefruit and pineapple are made up of 91% and 87% water, respectively, and tomatoes and zucchini are made up of 94% and 95% water, respectively. If you're drinking juices, try to choose the pure stuff, such as Liz's Carrot Orange Ginger Juice, which is not chock-a-block full of added sugar.
Milk:
Believe it or not, cow's milk, almond milk and soy milk can count towards your water consumption. Not only can milk help with hydration, but its combination of protein and carbs can help to speed up recovery after a workout. If you've ever participated in a running race, you've probably seen chocolate milk at the finishing line. That's because it's great for recovery!
Coffee and tea:
I know, I know...coffee and tea are considered to be diuretics, which hinder hydration. However, if you don't overdo it on the coffee, you can actually reap some hydration benefits from the water it contains. That being said, herbal teas are your best choices in this category.
A challenge is always so much more fun, and dare we say easier, when you have challenge buddies to keep you motivated and exchange ideas with. Liz and I are excited to share ideas with all of you in our Facebook group, and on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #HealthyNewYear. Be sure to tag Liz (@thelemonbowl) and me (@cookincanuck) on Instagram when you post a #HealthyNewYear photo, and feel free to share your photos, ideas and questions in the Facebook group.
And don't forget to check out Liz's vibrant Carrot Orange Ginger Juice for the recipe and more hydration ideas.
Let's kick off 2015 together, and help each other to make it the healthiest and happiest year yet!
Printable Recipe
Pink Grapefruit, Pineapple & Ginger Sparkler {Hydration Challenge}
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh pink grapefruit juice about 2 grapefruits
- 10 ounces frozen pineapple chunks about 2 cups
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 8 ounces sparkling water
- ice
- lime wedges for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a blender, puree the pink grapefruit juice, pineapple chunks and grated ginger until smooth.
- Divide the fruit puree between two tall glasses, add 4 ounces of sparkling water to each. Stir to combine and add ice. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Blendtec Blenders. All opinions are my own.
Annalise @ Completely Delicious
I'm all about the sparkling water right now. I can't get enough! I was worried it wasn't as beneficial as regular water, so thanks for helping me feel better about my addiction. 🙂 Definitely going to try this drink, such great flavors I wouldn't have thought to put together!
Dara
I'm glad to hear that someone else is addicted to sparkling water as I am! I hope you have a chance to try this sparkler...I have a feeling you'd love it, Annalise.
kelley
These flavors! Looks so refreshing and love the added vitamins from the grapefruit and pineapple! One of my favorite ways to make sure I get enough water is to chug 20z first thing in the morning. It's honestly the first thing I do every day and it's a great way to kick start the metabolism!!
Dara
Thanks, Kelley! That is such a great way to get things started in the morning. I usually gulp down a glass of water right before my run, but am bad about it after the run. I'm working on it, but need to take a page out of your book.
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist
This sounds like a wonderful way to get in more hydration! Some of my favorite flavors! I workout a lot and am constantly reminding myself to drink more. Good idea!
Dara
Thanks, Melissa! I'm the same way...I constantly need to remind myself and start to feel my energy drop when I'm not hydrating properly.
Jenny Flake
These flavors!! Can't wait to try!
Dara
Thanks, Jenny! I feel the same way about these flavors. 🙂
Angela Pelc
Great challenge! I absolutely LOVE my Soda Stream and keep 5 liters of cold filtered water in my fridge at all times. When I'm sitting down to dinner, I fizz it up and share it with my son who loves "fizzy wizzy"! I flavor it with cucumber slices, mint, lemon or lime...sometimes all of the above! I'm going to try your recipe this week!
Dara
I love that your son calls it "fizzy wizzy"! I hope that you enjoy the recipe.
Jessica | Saucy Pear
When I began losing the ~60 pounds that I've had off for 8 years now, the first thing I did was drink tons of water. I find that a lot of times when I *think* I'm hungry, I'm actually just thirsty.
Happy {Healthy} New Year!
Dara
Wow! Good for you, Jessica! It's so true that thirst often masks itself as hunger. If I have the munchies, I can usually keep them at bay by hydrating.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
Dara, I'm with you on starting the new year off right and yes!! hydration is so important!! wow, I remember when it was 8 cups of water a day for women. . 9 cups huh? no problem! thanks for the reminder and love that you and Liz are doing this!! cheers to a great and healthy new year!
Dara
I'm so glad you're doing this challenge with us, Alice! Yes, general recommendation seems to be 9 cups, but remember to change that up according to your specific circumstances.
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen
I love water so this is an easy one for me! But I always forget about sparkling water. Time to change things up!!
Dara
That's great, Katrina! I adore sparkling water in any form and gulp it down every day.
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
You had me at "ginger" and "sparkler" - I'm with you, anything with bubbles goes down faster! Love all of the vitamin-c rich fruit in this two - double whammy. So excited to kick off the #HealthyNewYear Challenge!! xo
Dara
Thank you, Liz! Here's to a very #HealthyNewYear!
Aggie
I normally drink a ton of water...mostly because it's always pretty hot here and it keeps me cool. Once winter comes along and our temps dip slightly to more comfortable weather I find that I don't drink enough water during the day. I've been feeling sluggish and getting more headaches the last couple of months and my friend and I were just talking about how we think it's our water intake during this time of year, it just takes more effort!
Your drink looks incredible!! I love grapefruit so much. My grandpa just gave me a ton from his tree. I'm intrigued by your soda stream...I love bubbly water.
Dara
Thank you, Aggie! First of all, I agree that it's always more challenging to drink water in the winter. I need to work on that! Second, I love that your grandpa grows grapefruits...lucky you! And third, you would love a SodaStream. I fizz up two bottles each day and do my best to drink both of them by the end of the day.