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How To Rehydrate Fast

What Is Dehydration? 

Almost every living being needs water to survive, and the same can be said for us. Our body’s every organ, tissue, and cell needs water to function, repair and grow. Water also helps in blood circulation, waste removal, regulating water temperature, lubricating joints, etc.

However, the body cannot properly function if it gets dehydrated. Dehydration is the loss of more water or fluid from the body than the amount of intake and can cause several problems. Sweating, diarrhoea, vomiting, and diuretic medicines that increase fluid loss in an individual can cause dehydration.

Some people (including children, adults, and elders) are more prone to dehydration than that of others. Also, people suffering from certain medical conditions like diabetes and kidney diseases are more prone to dehydration.

What Are Some Of The Common Signs And Symptoms Of Dehydration?

The common symptoms or signs of one suffering from dehydration are:

• Increase of thirst feeling
• Less frequent urination
• Tiredness and Dizziness
• Dry Skin
• Headaches
• Urine colour: It is said that the paler the colour of one’s urine is, the better hydrated they are normally. However, urine colour can change for various other reasons than sole dehydration. Hence, the urine colour is not the most efficient indicator for dehydration.

Some Of The Best Ways To Rehydrate Quickly

1. Drinking-Water 

This shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the best and a very affordable way of staying hydrated is by drinking water. And the added benefit of drinking water to hydrate or rehydrate is that unlike many other beverages drinking water does not include any added sugars or calories. Hence, water is ideal for drinking at any time of the day, be it during a workout or the first beverage drinking in the morning.

For most people, drinking water is sufficient for rehydration, but some people not only dehydrate but also lose sodium through extensive sweating.

Are you someone whose eyes stings because of sweats and you also get frequent muscle cramps? If yes, you might be dehydrating fast and losing a lot of sodium because of sweating. Then make sure to replace not just the fluid but also the sweat lost because of sweat.

However, suppose you are not participating in intense, long physical activities in a warmer environment. In that case, the sodium you might lose because of sweat can be easily replaced by eating a balanced diet.  

2. Drinking Milk

Milk other than having excellent hydrating properties it additionally supplies a host of nutrients. Researches show that low fat and skim milk can rehydrate and provide protein and other vital nutrients. Milk is said to be as good as sports drinks that can energize you after an intensive workout.

There are high concentrations of electrolytes in milk; hence, it naturally balances the amount of water in one’s body. The reason why milk is an ideal post-exercise beverage because it has high protein contents that kick-start muscle repair.

However, one should keep in mind that milk consumption just after exercising has the potential of causing stomach discomfort like bloating. People should also consider that milk consumption for rehydration is not an appropriate option for those who have lactose intolerance or some milk-related issues.   

One should also not consume full-fat milk during illnesses like vomiting and diarrhoea, for the beverage can worsen the patient’s condition. However, if none of the milk-related problems applies to you, then you can enjoy a glass of milk every day.

3. Drinking Tea Or Coffee

A moderate amount of tea or coffee consumption creates a rehydrating effect similar to that of water. However, there is stimulant caffeine present in tea and coffee, which acts as a diuretic for it can cause transient dehydrating in excess amounts.

There is a significant difference between the hydrating ability of tea, coffee and water. However, these beverages can be made better for rehydrating purposes if additional elements like almond milk, some spices, lemongrass, etc.

4. Fruits And Veggies Consumption

Vegetables and fruits make an ideal hydrating snack as it contains 80-99 % water. If we compare the amount of water present in refine foods such as crackers, cookies, chips and cereals, they only contain 1-9% water.

Some of the fruits and vegetables containing most extensive water content are oranges, carrots, grapes, melons, berries, spinach, lettuce, and melons. Frozen fruits and vegetables are equally nutritious, just like the corresponding fresh items and for some cases, they are healthier.

Sometimes it takes days or weeks before fresh vegetables or fruits make their way to one’s plate. During that period, oxidation takes place, which may cause nutrient loss. Whereas, frozen vegetables or fruits soon after harvesting, recollects majority of their nutrients.

5. Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)

To prevent and treat diarrhoea or vomiting, leading to dehydration, a specialized formula is put into use known as Oral hydration solutions. 

They are also known for treating or preventing hangovers. These solutions are aqueous and usually contain electrolytes such as chloride, sodium and potassium, and sugar mostly in the form of dextrose. 

Although the oral rehydration drinks help replace all the lost liquids and electrolytes from one’s body, they are a bit expensive for some. Fortunately, one can either buy the ORS or make their rehydration solution in their home by using common kitchen ingredients water (about 1 litre), salt (six teaspoons) and sugar (half teaspoon). 

6. Eating Soup

Soups, especially broth-based soups, are a great source of hydration. Vegetable soup or chicken noodle soups not just contain water, but it also contains sodium which is useful while rehydrating oneself. 

When someone sweats, especially while exercising their body loses sodium. Soups help in substituting this. But one should try to make soups at their home because most canned soups contain high sodium amount.

7. Getting IV Drip

One can quickly reduce dehydration and restore their body using IV treatments, which contains hydration and minerals and vitamins. 

IV treatments permit nutrients to bypass the digestive path and permits for immediate absorption. Therefore, one can almost immediately feel the profits of hydration.

Hope this article has helped readers understand the ways to beat dehydration. 

Foxtail Millet Recipes:

Foxtail millet (Sataria italica), which used to be cultivated in an area of two lakh hectare in the district two decades ago has now shrunk to 20,000 hectares. The millet, known as Korra in local parlance, remains to be the staple diet of rural people. There are numerous health benefits of millets Let’s look into some delicious foxtail millet recipes.

However, after the introduction of the subsidized rice scheme in the early eighties, people switched over to rice and the demand started declining for millet.

Foxtail Millet Benefits | Navane Benefits | Korra rice Benefits

The health benefits of foxtail millets are many. Listed below are a few of them:

1. Foxtail Millet is rich in magnesium, zinc, copper, vitamin B, and vitamin D. Therefore it is important for pregnant women to include foxtail millet in their diet during the second and third trimesters.  
2. Since foxtail millet is also rich in iron and protein, it is very good for the regulation of hemoglobin.
3. Foxtail millets contain an amino acid called Tryptophan, which is responsible for its slow-digestive nature. Therefore consuming a reasonable amount of foxtail millet can result in weight loss 
4. Eating slow and consuming less is the catch for imbibing the Navane rice health benefits. Foxtail millet takes time to get digested and keeps you full for a long time.
5. In comparison with regular white rice, foxtail millets are rich in fiber and help regulate sugar and cholesterol levels in the body.

Unlike rice, foxtail millet releases glucose steadily without affecting the metabolism of the body. The incidence of diabetes is rare among the population which consumes the foxtail millet diet.

Foxtail Millet Nutrition | Foxtail Millet Nutritional Value Per 100g

• Energy – 365 Kcal
• Carbohydrates – 71.3 g
• Iron – 4.8 mg
• Calcium – 14 mg 
• Protein – 10.5 g
• Fiber – 3.5 g
• Fat – 2.7

Foxtail Millet recipes 

Here are a few healthy foxtail millet recipes or Navane Recipes that can be used at any time of the day. Let us check out these easy to make recipes with foxtail millets.

Foxtail Millet Dosa | Thinai Dosai | Korralu Dosa 

Dosa is a traditional breakfast recipe typically made with rice and urad dal. This recipe for Foxtail Millet dosa or Thinai dosa is made with foxtail rice and a small quantity of red rice. This particular recipe of Korralu dosa is also packed with protein obtained from different dals used in it. Let us now get into the recipe.

Ingredients:

1. Foxtail Rice – 1 cup
2. Toor dal – 1/4cup
3. Moong dal
4. Urad dal – 2 spoon
5. Traditional Red rice – 2 spoon
6. Red chilies
7. Fennel seeds – 1 tsp
8. Ginger – 1tsp
9. Onions – 1/2cup
10. Cold-Pressed Sesame(gingelly) Oil, Salt

Method:

Soak foxtail millet rice, red rice along with all dals for at least hours. Grind the millet, dal mixture with dry red chilies, fennel seeds grated ginger with enough water and salt as bit coarse paste.

Finally, add the onions and give a stir. Heat pan, pour a ladle of this foxtail batter, drizzle the oil and cook on both sides until the roti gets well cooked. Serve hot with spicy coconut chutney.

Foxtail Idli | Thinai Idli | Korra Idli Recipe

Idli is the most favorite breakfast variety for south Indians. Nowadays idli is also made with different variations in different regions across the country. Unlike regular idlis, this recipe for foxtail millet is made with foxtail millet. Let us check out the recipe for foxtail millet idli.

Ingredients:

1. Foxtail Rice-2 cups
2. Urad dal – 1cup
3. Fenugreek seeds – 2 tsp
4. Salt

Method:

Take foxtail rice in a bowl and wash well. Now soak this water for 6 hours. Take dal and fenugreek in a bowl and wash well. Now soak this water for 4 hours. Now take dal and fenugreek in a blender and make into a fine paste by adding some water. Pour that into a container. Add foxtail rice and make it into a smooth paste by adding some water. Pour that into the same container. Add salt to this and mix well.

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Let this ferment for 8 hours.

Now mix well again. To make foxtail idly, mix the batter well before making idly. Take the idly mold and apply little oil in the molds. Do this with fingers. The oil helps the foxtail idlis to be soft. Pour the batter to the idli molds and steam for about 10 – 15 mins. To check whether the idly is being cooked, insert a toothpick into the idly The toothpick should come out clean if the foxtail idlis are done.

Foxtail Millet Pongal | Thinai Pongal | Korralu Khichdi

Pongal is a traditional sweet recipe made with rice and moong dal across India. It is easy and mildly flavored with very few spices i.e; cumin and pepper. In this recipe of  Foxtail Millet Pongal or Thinai Pongal or Korralu Khichdi, we are going to replace white rice with foxtail millet rice to make it healthier.

Ingredients:

1. Foxtail – 1 Cup
2. Moong Dal – 1/3 cup
3. Salt, Ghee – 3 tsp
4. Cumin, Pepper – 2 tbs (crushed)
5. Curry leaves
6. Ginger
7. Green Chili – 1-2 nos cut lengthwise

Method:

Dry roast Moong dal in a pan till the aroma comes out. Make sure you don’t brown them. Wash the millet once or twice and combine with moong in a pressure cooker. Give a quick saute to the chilies and ginger and add it to the cooker. Add salt, ghee, and water and cook it over medium flame for one whistle. Reduce the flame and cook for 3 more minutes. Switch off the Gas.

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Fry some cashews, curry leaves and whole peppercorns and add it to the Pongal. Sprinkle the coarsely ground Jeera-Pepper powder and give a gentle toss to the Pongal.

Foxtail Millet Halwa | Thinai Halwa

Halwa is easy to make a sweet dish. Halwa can be made with different unhealthy ingredients like sooji Rava, all-purpose flour, regular white sugar, etc. In this recipe for Thinai halwa, we are making it with healthy alternatives i.e; Foxtail millet and jaggery. Let us now look into the procedure of how to make thinai halwa.

Ingredients : 

• Foxtail millet rice – 1 cup, 
• Jaggery powder-1/2 cup, 
• Grated coconut – 1/2 cup, 
• Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp, 
• Ghee 2-3 tsp, 
• Water

Method : 

Wash and Soak the foxtail in water for 4-5 hrs. Heat jaggery in little water until the jaggery dissolves. Combine soaked foxtail, water, and coconut in a mixer and bind into a paste. Filter the foxtail paste into a large bowl. Once grinds the foxtail pulp/husk by adding water and filtering the waste. Repeat this 2 times. Discard the foxtail millet pulp/husk. Now take a thick bottom pan and add filtered jaggery syrup, 2 tsp ghee, and filtered foxtail millet milk. Allow it to cook on low flame. Keep stirring until you get halwa consistency (the liquid turns to smooth and thick mass). Finally, add cardamom powder, mix well and switch off the stove. Pour into a greased plate and allow it to cool down. Cut into pieces and allow it to dry and then store it. Healthy foxtail millet halwa is ready to serve.

Foxtail Millet Sweet Balls

This recipe for foxtail millet sweet balls can be used as a healthy dessert since it is made with healthy ingredients like foxtail rice, jaggery, and dry fruits. Let us now check out the recipe.

Ingredients : 

• Foxtail rice -100 gms, 
• Jaggery Powder – 1/4 cup, 
• honey – 5-6 tbsp, 
• Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp, 
• Cashew nut-5 6Nos, 
• Raisins – 2 tbsp, 
• Ghee – 2 tbsp.

Method: 

Place a pan on medium flame. Roast the grains along with the ghee for 6-8 minutes. Initially, the ghee would make grains stick together but after 5 minutes the grains will separate and a wonderful aroma arises. Transfer the grains onto a plate and let it cool. After the grains cooled completely, grind them into a powder. Take this powder in a bowl. Add honey, Jaggery powder, cardamom powder, chopped cashews, and raisins. Mix well and make them into small ladoos. Store in airtight containers and keep them in a cool dry place. Also can serve the sweet powder mix as it is without making them into ladoos.

Foxtail Sweet Appam

Appam is an authentic sweet recipe from Kerala cuisine. Its traditional recipe involves using regular white rice and white sugar. In this recipe for Foxtail Sweet Appam, rice and white sugar are replaced with foxtail millet and jaggery powder. Here is the millet appam recipe with foxtail millet.

Ingredients : 

• Foxtail Rice – 1 cup, 
• Red rice – 1/4 cup, 
• Urad dal – 1/2 cup, 
• Fenugreek – 1 tsp, 
• Jaggery powder – 1/2 cup, 
• Cardamom powder – ¼  tsp, 
• Shredded Coconut – ½  cup, 
• Ghee roasted broken Cashew nuts – 2 to 3 tbsp, 
• Salt – 1 pinch to enhance sweetness.

Method : 

Wash and soak Foxtail Millet, red rice, urad dal, fenugreek for at least 2 to 3 hours. Strain the water and grind it to fine batter i.e. Like idly, dosa batter. The batter shouldn’t be very smooth or very coarse. Close the vessel and set it aside for 3 to 4 hrs for fermentation. Now, the batter to prepare Foxtail Sweet appam is ready. Now add Jaggery Powder, Cardamom, Shredded coconut, Cashews all the above ingredients with the batter. Mix well. Grease the appam mold with Never use Aluminium, 1/2 tsp of ghee in each hole. Pour the Non-stick cookware. Try batter in the greased molds. Allow it to use Mud pot, Cast iron, to cook in medium flame for 2 to 3 or Stainless steel for mins. Now flip the other side and cooking. Aluminum usage cooks further for 2 mins. Once the leads to chronic disease appam turn brown with crisp edges, due to aluminum oxide. turn off flame. Foxtail Millet Sweet appam is ready.

Foxtail Payasam | Navane Payasa | Thinai Payasam 

Payasam or kheer in Hindi is traditionally made with rice and milk. This variety of millet payasam with coconut milk is one of the easiest and healthiest thinai sweet recipes. Let us now look into the procedure of how to make foxtail payasam or Navane payasam.

Ingredients: 

• Foxtail Millet – 1 cup 
• Jaggery – 1 1/2 cup 
• Grated Coconut – 2 tsp 
• Coconut Milk – 1/2 cup 
• Cardamom – a pinch 
• Ghee – 2 tsp
• Garnish: Cashew nuts, Almonds, Raisins, Coconut pieces

Method : 

Cook foxtail in a pressure cooker. See if it’s well cooked. Meanwhile, melt jaggery in a pan. Remove scrum. Then add cooked Foxtail, grated coconut, coconut milk, water to the melted jaggery. Bring to boil. Heat ghee in a pan and roast all the nuts and then pour over the payasam.

Conclusion:

Foxtail millets are rich in fiber and other nutrients that are responsible for regulating insulin and cholesterol levels. This type of millet can be consumed by people of any age group in moderate quantities. These foxtail millet recipes are easy, tasty, and healthy, unlike those recipes which are made with regular white rice. Hope you try these recipes and like them.