Rehydrating Your Child Naturally: Homemade Pedialyte
I get a lot of questions about this from readers and have also wondered myself…how do you rehydrate your sick child without succumbing to the artificial ingredients found in Pedialyte?
Just ask any pediatrician across the country and they’ll likely say this is the beverage of choice when it comes to your little one recovering from the stomach bug… And in case you are not familiar with Pedialyte, it's a hydration solution that is meant to offset the effects (such as vomiting or diarrhea) of illnesses like the flu. -
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- I am not saying this drink won't provide your sick child with some much needed nutrients (we've used it before ourselves years ago), but what about the unnecessary extras it comes with like artificial flavors, sweeteners, and color (yellow 6)?
We've already discussed some disturbing facts about the artificial dyes that require a warning label in many countries outside of the US, but as far as I can tell there aren’t many acceptable rehydration alternatives that don’t contain them (Gatorade or other sports drinks often come up as another electrolyte solution but it's also full of artificial sweeteners and dyes).
And when I asked our pediatrician’s office if they could please recommend another option, since I wanted to avoid the questionable artificial ingredients in Pedialyte, they had no idea what I was talking about. I am honestly not sure why I was surprised.
So I decided to reach out to a local, board-certified pediatrician, who is also trained in integrative medicine, for some better choices on fast rehydration. Dr. Sheila Kilbane shared with me that there is actually an alternative, and it's a well-known recipe provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) called Oral Rehydration Salts/Solution (N-ORS). In so many words she said this solution was created for those in developing countries that can't just run down the street to the nearest Piggly Wiggly to grab some Pedialyte.
And after she explained it to me like that it made complete sense that there would be an acceptable, easy alternative to Pedialyte in existence. So I then went back to our regular pediatrician's office and specifically asked if ORS would adequately replenish my child during a time of dehydration and this time they said "yes." It's amazing to me the amount of pull drug companies have on our doctors these days because Pedialyte is of course made by Abbott, one of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies on the planet.
I'd like to share this "Homemade Pedialyte" N-ORS version with you today, but with one warning message...
Disclaimer: This recipe is recommended for children who are older than 1, generally healthy with properly functioning kidneys, and not experiencing severe dehydration or high fever (which would probably require direct medical attention anyhow). And, as always, follow your own doctor's advice over anything you find on the internet!
Homemade Pedialyte Recipe
Mix together:
1 quart water
2 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon salt
Note: If you fear your child will think this drink is too plain consider adding in a couple splashes of orange Juice. Also, the sugar and salt may dissolve more easily if you warm up the water first. You could also pour this solution into freezer pop molds and make homemade Pedialyte popsicles.
I did also ask Dr. Kilbane about using coconut water for rehydration since it does contain some natural electrolytes, but the concern there is the lack of sodium. Your body needs the sodium to help you retain the liquid, otherwise it will just go right through you. You could potentially add ¼ teaspoon table salt and some OJ to coconut water to make sure both the sodium and sugar aspects are covered, but the recipe above is a sure thing.
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Lisa is a wife, mother, foodie, blogger, and #1 New York Times Best-selling author who is on a mission to cut out processed food.
Comments
Rosesays
I have heard so many bad things about refined sugar I do not understand how anyone could say to use that to help a sick child. Refined sugar offers zero electrolytes and zero nutrition. One needs to replace the electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, they need to hydrate the child since the vomiting and diarrhea left the child dehydrated. Some of the other postings offered alternatives to refined sugar.
I do not think the Food and Drug Administration is doing their job. For example, Red China has zero food standards and there are now many "food" items from Red China on USA grocery shelves. The BBC ran an article on how rich people will not buy food in China but grow all their own or import it. I went looking for dried garlic in a grocery store and their dried garlic was all from China. We grow plenty of garlic in this country excuse me. One can see why the unemployment rate is so high in this country the way other countries like China, etc are treated like they are in the USA when they most certainly are not and have their products sold in grocery stores but USA products are not.
I make an electrolyte drink using 1 cup coconut water, 1 cup filtered water, 2tbs honey, 1/8 tsp sea salt and frozen organic strawberries for flavor. The honey is a better form of sugar and mixing the coconut water with filtered water adds the electrolytes without the taste of coconut water, plus you add the sea salt or Pink Himalayan salt which is better than table salt.
I'm trying to make an electrolyte replacement powder that I can add to my water while backpacking (so no fresh citrus). What about True Lemon powder, coconut sugar, and salt? From what I've found online the ingredients in True Lemon seem ok? Does anyone have experience with this product?
Your post very much interested me! My family is very active with hiking, biking and backpacking and I am also in search of a natural alternative to products like Nuun and Cytomax, etc.
Would you be willing to share your powder 'recipe' with me? I would not know where to begin with the quantity of each ingredient.
Thank you so much!
PS: Thank you, Lisa, for being such a great resource for helping me change the way my family eats! You have been such a blessing!
We don't have pedialyte here in the Netherlands, Electrolyte drinks are only given in hospitals and are NOT available without a prescription. ORS is standard here, so out goes the poor country theory >.<
And reading the label of the pedialyte I think it's just marketing to be honest....
I did want to chime in that my daughter has some very unusual dietary restrictions due to various allergies and sensitivities, and coconut water has literally been a godsend. There have been times over this last year that it literally helped to keep her alive. Not only does her body accept it, but it craves it and it has helped her to become healthier. If she is dehydrated it has been extremely effective for her. Not all brands are created equal; in our case C2O has been our standby.
The best time to get them to drink something is just after they have been sick in the first 10 minutes or so. That's when they feel the best and the nausea is less. If you wait then they are feeling nauseous and won't take a drink.
Thank you so much for posting this! I am pregnant and am having low blood pressure issues. My OB told me to drink Gatorade or Pedialyte for the electrolytes, but like you, I questioned all of the "extras" and the load of sugar that is in Gatorade. I don't drink that stuff normally, I really don't want to while pregnant! She had no other options for me! I chose not to drink either, tried Coconut water, and a friend mentioned surely I could make my own somehow, then today you posted this. Thanks so much!
Hi Holly, i just wanted to respond to your post, i was concerned that a doctor would suggest those drinks, but then again im pretty dirty on the fact it seems alot of doctors are taking the easy way out, anyway i wanted to let you know you can make a drink called labouraide i drank it at the end of my last pregnacy and had planned on making some for labour but baby decided to come before i got to making more. here is the link, hope this helps :) http://www.preciouspassage.com/d/laborade.php?/laborade.htm
I have started using smart water. Same idea, it has the electrolytes, but no artificial ingredients like flavor or sweetener or color! :) It's work wonderful with our son when he's not feeling well!
I'd love to know your thoughts on nuun? It is similar to gatorade/pedialyte/etc but I don't think it has any of the corn syrup and junk. Thanks so much for this recipe! I'm on a high salt diet (unusual, I know) and it's sometimes hard to get it all in without drinking sports drinks, but I don't like all of the junk in sports drinks!
Hi Karen. We stick to natural hydration methods. I don't know much about this product and could not find an ingredient list. What I did see reads like a supplement list which screams heavy processing. That is just my two cents and you certainly have to make your own evaluation based on your own dietary needs. All the best. ~Amy
My son had stomach flu Saturday. I gave him orange juice mixed with water. As soon as he stopped vomiting, I gave him a banana. Worked like a charm. I once gave my daugher Gatorade (on advice of pediatrician) when she had diarrhea. She ended up in the hospital with dehydration for 3 days. The nurses (and a new pediatrician) told me at the hospital to NEVER use Gatorade or Pedialyte for diarrhea as these will cause worse diarrhea and dehydration due to high sugar content and other nasty ingredients in them. They said to make your own or use water with just a little OJ if it is a light case. This was years ago, before I switched to organic eating. Just FYI.
"I did also ask Dr. Kilbane about using coconut water for rehydration since it does contain some natural electrolytes, but the concern there is the lack of sodium. Your body needs the sodium to help you retain the liquid, otherwise it will just go right through you. You could potentially add 1/4 teaspoon salt and some OJ to coconut water to make sure both the sodium and sugar aspects are covered, but the recipe above is a sure thing."
Hi Shirley. Did you see this in the article: “I did also ask Dr. Kilbane about using coconut water for rehydration since it does contain some natural electrolytes, but the concern there is the lack of sodium. Your body needs the sodium to help you retain the liquid, otherwise it will just go right through you. You could potentially add 1/4 teaspoon salt and some OJ to coconut water to make sure both the sodium and sugar aspects are covered, but the recipe above is a sure thing.†:) ~Amy
This is good to know! My kids won't even drink the pedialyte, even before I knew it contained the dyes. I am happy that you found an alternative and am thinking about adding a little apple juice to it because they will drink anything with apple juice since they are only allowed a small amount per day. Maybe the apple juice can replace the sugar and be sweet enough to balance the salt?
When my 13 year old got a bad bug, think every possible problem, a friend of our brought over 2 items that worked wonders. Hylands Brand #11 pills for nausea, flu & vomiting. We use 3 little pills under the tongue. The other item was a bottle of essential oils from Heritage Essential Oils (online) which had a combo of clove, lemon,Cinnamon, eucalyptus, oregano, Radiata, rosemary & frankincense. My daughter got relief very quickly. Now, I keep those on hand and am addicted to many essential oils. Love them!
I used this recipe a month ago when we found, and took in, a baby squirrel that fell from her nest. I didn't want to go buy a whole container for just a few milliliters that the baby needed.
If you add the orange juice, make sure that it is 100% juice (preferably organic) without additives. Alternatively, there is a company that sells essential oils that are simply wonderful! A few drops of the lemon or wild orange (or lemongrass, grapefruit, lime...you name it!) would make this much more palatable. I highly recommend the entire doTerra line of products!
If anyone is worried that kids will think this homemade version tastes "gross", then you haven't tasted Pedialyte! I drank some when I was severely sick and the "strawberry" flavor tasted thick like corn syrup and not even close to real strawberries. If a child prefers it over this homemade recipe, it's the flavor label that tricks their brains. Put the OJ in and tell them it's "orange flavor" and you will fare much better in the end! (: Just a few psychology tips from a recent college graduate.
Good Timing for a recap! My littlest has a stomach bug. She is trampolining regular water, so a little help to get something in to keep her from getting dehydrated is always good. And since I am stuck at home as long as she is sick, this is perfect timing for me.
I am a runner and my husband is a triathlete & coach. We eat about 85% real food, but found we needed a fluid/electrolyte replacement for long endurance training. Check out Skratch Labs products. They are made with real ingredients and would also work for a dehydrated or sick child/adult.
I'm sure this question has a very logical answer but I can't think of a reason why our bodies would need refined sugar?? I thought it was horribly bad for us, especially when ill. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to these comments! I know it's a lot of work!
I have been using almost the same recipe for three years now. i refuse to buy the crap they sell. but i do not put juice in mine due to the fact that the juice usually make the diarrhea worse.
I'm wondering if you could use honey or other natural sweetener instead of sugar, and also if you mean sea salt or ionized salt? This will be good to keep in mind for when my little guy gets sick!
Michelle - I am honestly not sure if a natural sweetener will have the same effect as sugar. I normally avoid refined sugar as well, but I would check with a doctor before making a substitution in that type of situation (where you child is dehydrated).
Not just for babies....What a timely article for me! My husband (a senior) got a terrible GI virus on the evening this was published. Using your info, your question about coconut water, and the article "Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution for Diarrhea" by Nicole Evans M.D.(http://voices.yahoo.com/how-safely-homemade-oral-rehydration-solution-7503074.html?cat=5), I mixed up an ORS that worked miracles for him! In just 24 hours, he had bounced back from what usually takes a few days of recovery. Now, this is his "sports drink" of choice for golf days and we no longer even consider using the dangerous ingredients in commercial sports drinks. Thank you!!
Here's my Adult ORS Sports Drink:
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tsp baking soda (NOT baking powder!)
8 tsp sugar
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. orange juice
24 oz. (3 c.) coconut water
Dissolve the salt, soda and sugar in the warm water, add remaining liquid to yield 1 quart.
Note: I combined a measured quantity of the salt, soda and sugar in a jar so we could to take the mix on vacation. Use 2 1/2 tsp. of this mix per 1 CUP of liquid (1/8 c. warm water, 1/4 c. OJ, 11 oz coconut water);add more water or OJ to fill your bottle, if desired.
Thanks for this! I cut it with 1/3 100% apple juice (not sure if it helps or hurts a sick belly, but I feared my daughter wouldn't go for the slightly salty-water taste). She drank 2 big glasses. I don't know why we make everything more complicated and less healthy when it comes to food in this country! Thanks for all that you do.
Just a word of caution, if your child is dehydrated due to diarrhea: apple juice causes/can contribute to diarrhea. It is helpful to give in the case of constipation, though. (If you're thinking of the BRAT diet, applesauce causes constipation. The difference in the juice vs the sauce is due to the skins of the apple.) So perhaps using a different juice in this case would be a better idea.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I have often wondered about Pedialyte and thought there has to be a more chemical free alternative. Thank you for doing the work for me. My two year old is sick and I made hime the drink and he loves it!!
I am German and my first reaction was - wait there is a pre-made drink for that?
The second was, wtf are they putting into that
I grew up with watered down juice with a pinch of salt or the old and not quite as healthy flat Coca Cola and pretzel sticks trick once I was a bit better.
My great-aunt tends to use coconut water with a pinch of salt - but she lives in a country where it is easy to get fresh coconut water.
Simplest IV solution is basically watered down NaCl too
Also: I have been told about the WHO option in an advanced First Aid lesson - just mentioned, no recipe - and it'd have been my first point of research - as in "what would they do where they can't find a grocery store" way.
I am a professional PhD pharmaceutical chemist. I have reviewed both Pedialyte and Pediatric Electrolyte at Dye Diet.
Pedialyte Fruit Flavor contains 20 mg of Yellow 6 artificial color that always contains impurities of known human carcinogens, according to the FDA specifications data. Pediatric Electrolytes (CVS)are almost completely IDENTICAL to Pedialyte BUT note, all they are OVERPRICED to $4 - 5 a bottle!!! POTASSIUM lectrolyte content is only 22% of RDI. Go explore Dye Diet for more detail.
I just made this today for my sick 2-year old and he preferred it over Pedialyte. (I don't think any special drink was required, but for a little boy not feeling well with a nasty cough desperately asking for milk and refusing water, being able to offer "juice" was a good distraction.)
I like this option not only because of how simple and "real" it is, but also because Pedialyte is so darn expensive! And my son won't go through an entire bottle in the 48 hours between opening it and the package's recommendation that the remainder should be thrown out.
What do you do for higher fevers in terms of conventional medicine? I've been reading about the ingredients in Children's Tylenol and am horrified! Just wondering if there is some sort of dye free, non-gmo alternative (besides cold rags on the head)?? THANKS!!!
Hi Marissa. I give my kids the Motrin and Tylenol, but, the dye free version. I feel like they really get sick so much less now so when they run a fever, I do give them medicine to bring it back down. Jill
Therapeutic Grade Essential oils (mainly Peppermint) can help bring down the temperature. Apply to feet, spine and maybe forehead. (Keep away from eyes)
There may still be times to use Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen but the Peppermint helps in our family.
Rehydration is sooo important! It's the first thing the hospitals ever do when you go in. When you are hydrated, you absorb more nutrients or medicine. Have you seen this hydrating drink powder? http://www.reliv.com/US/EN/Reliv-Innergize-Performance-Nutrition.html
Our family uses it during and after working out, during sickness or afterwards to rehydrate. It's dye-free, gluten-free, and raises electrolytes. Beet sugar is the source for the healthy fructose. Good to always have on hand.
Thank you for this post.Instead of pedialyte, I have been giving my boys gatorade for dehydration. I figured it would be less toxic than pedialyte. However, I am so glad I found your post.Looking at the ingredients in both products they really are just sugar and salt plus artificial stuff.
Never knew how these itesm helped with absorption until now.
Rose says
I have heard so many bad things about refined sugar I do not understand how anyone could say to use that to help a sick child. Refined sugar offers zero electrolytes and zero nutrition. One needs to replace the electrolytes lost through vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, they need to hydrate the child since the vomiting and diarrhea left the child dehydrated. Some of the other postings offered alternatives to refined sugar.
I do not think the Food and Drug Administration is doing their job. For example, Red China has zero food standards and there are now many "food" items from Red China on USA grocery shelves. The BBC ran an article on how rich people will not buy food in China but grow all their own or import it. I went looking for dried garlic in a grocery store and their dried garlic was all from China. We grow plenty of garlic in this country excuse me. One can see why the unemployment rate is so high in this country the way other countries like China, etc are treated like they are in the USA when they most certainly are not and have their products sold in grocery stores but USA products are not.
Li says
I usually blend coconut water and apple juice because coconut water is high in electrolytes.
Shirley says
How about using Coconut water? Doesn't that work?
Li says
I usually blend coconut water and apple juice because coconut water is high in electrolytes.
Jennifer says
I make an electrolyte drink using 1 cup coconut water, 1 cup filtered water, 2tbs honey, 1/8 tsp sea salt and frozen organic strawberries for flavor. The honey is a better form of sugar and mixing the coconut water with filtered water adds the electrolytes without the taste of coconut water, plus you add the sea salt or Pink Himalayan salt which is better than table salt.
Jennifer says
I'm trying to make an electrolyte replacement powder that I can add to my water while backpacking (so no fresh citrus). What about True Lemon powder, coconut sugar, and salt? From what I've found online the ingredients in True Lemon seem ok? Does anyone have experience with this product?
Jalene says
Jennifer,
Your post very much interested me! My family is very active with hiking, biking and backpacking and I am also in search of a natural alternative to products like Nuun and Cytomax, etc.
Would you be willing to share your powder 'recipe' with me? I would not know where to begin with the quantity of each ingredient.
Thank you so much!
PS: Thank you, Lisa, for being such a great resource for helping me change the way my family eats! You have been such a blessing!
Gwen says
We don't have pedialyte here in the Netherlands, Electrolyte drinks are only given in hospitals and are NOT available without a prescription. ORS is standard here, so out goes the poor country theory >.<
And reading the label of the pedialyte I think it's just marketing to be honest....
Drew says
You should not be using "sugar" in this. Table sugar (sucrose) will draw more water in to the digestive tract and can make diarrhea worse.
Cut ripe bananas in to chunks and freeze them. You can add a few pieces in to the water and blend.
Heidi says
Thanks for the recipe! Glad to have it on file.
I did want to chime in that my daughter has some very unusual dietary restrictions due to various allergies and sensitivities, and coconut water has literally been a godsend. There have been times over this last year that it literally helped to keep her alive. Not only does her body accept it, but it craves it and it has helped her to become healthier. If she is dehydrated it has been extremely effective for her. Not all brands are created equal; in our case C2O has been our standby.
Celeste says
The best time to get them to drink something is just after they have been sick in the first 10 minutes or so. That's when they feel the best and the nausea is less. If you wait then they are feeling nauseous and won't take a drink.
Holly says
Thank you so much for posting this! I am pregnant and am having low blood pressure issues. My OB told me to drink Gatorade or Pedialyte for the electrolytes, but like you, I questioned all of the "extras" and the load of sugar that is in Gatorade. I don't drink that stuff normally, I really don't want to while pregnant! She had no other options for me! I chose not to drink either, tried Coconut water, and a friend mentioned surely I could make my own somehow, then today you posted this. Thanks so much!
megan says
Hi Holly, i just wanted to respond to your post, i was concerned that a doctor would suggest those drinks, but then again im pretty dirty on the fact it seems alot of doctors are taking the easy way out, anyway i wanted to let you know you can make a drink called labouraide i drank it at the end of my last pregnacy and had planned on making some for labour but baby decided to come before i got to making more. here is the link, hope this helps :) http://www.preciouspassage.com/d/laborade.php?/laborade.htm
Amanda says
I have started using smart water. Same idea, it has the electrolytes, but no artificial ingredients like flavor or sweetener or color! :) It's work wonderful with our son when he's not feeling well!
Karin says
I'd love to know your thoughts on nuun? It is similar to gatorade/pedialyte/etc but I don't think it has any of the corn syrup and junk. Thanks so much for this recipe! I'm on a high salt diet (unusual, I know) and it's sometimes hard to get it all in without drinking sports drinks, but I don't like all of the junk in sports drinks!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Karen. We stick to natural hydration methods. I don't know much about this product and could not find an ingredient list. What I did see reads like a supplement list which screams heavy processing. That is just my two cents and you certainly have to make your own evaluation based on your own dietary needs. All the best. ~Amy
Elena Mikalsen says
My son had stomach flu Saturday. I gave him orange juice mixed with water. As soon as he stopped vomiting, I gave him a banana. Worked like a charm. I once gave my daugher Gatorade (on advice of pediatrician) when she had diarrhea. She ended up in the hospital with dehydration for 3 days. The nurses (and a new pediatrician) told me at the hospital to NEVER use Gatorade or Pedialyte for diarrhea as these will cause worse diarrhea and dehydration due to high sugar content and other nasty ingredients in them. They said to make your own or use water with just a little OJ if it is a light case. This was years ago, before I switched to organic eating. Just FYI.
Shirley says
How about drinking coconut water? Wouldn't that be good as well?
Jean says
Per the article:
"I did also ask Dr. Kilbane about using coconut water for rehydration since it does contain some natural electrolytes, but the concern there is the lack of sodium. Your body needs the sodium to help you retain the liquid, otherwise it will just go right through you. You could potentially add 1/4 teaspoon salt and some OJ to coconut water to make sure both the sodium and sugar aspects are covered, but the recipe above is a sure thing."
Shirley says
How about drinking coconut water?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Shirley. Did you see this in the article: “I did also ask Dr. Kilbane about using coconut water for rehydration since it does contain some natural electrolytes, but the concern there is the lack of sodium. Your body needs the sodium to help you retain the liquid, otherwise it will just go right through you. You could potentially add 1/4 teaspoon salt and some OJ to coconut water to make sure both the sodium and sugar aspects are covered, but the recipe above is a sure thing.†:) ~Amy
HoldtheOffice.com says
This is good to know! My kids won't even drink the pedialyte, even before I knew it contained the dyes. I am happy that you found an alternative and am thinking about adding a little apple juice to it because they will drink anything with apple juice since they are only allowed a small amount per day. Maybe the apple juice can replace the sugar and be sweet enough to balance the salt?
Amber Best says
When my 13 year old got a bad bug, think every possible problem, a friend of our brought over 2 items that worked wonders. Hylands Brand #11 pills for nausea, flu & vomiting. We use 3 little pills under the tongue. The other item was a bottle of essential oils from Heritage Essential Oils (online) which had a combo of clove, lemon,Cinnamon, eucalyptus, oregano, Radiata, rosemary & frankincense. My daughter got relief very quickly. Now, I keep those on hand and am addicted to many essential oils. Love them!
Allison says
I used this recipe a month ago when we found, and took in, a baby squirrel that fell from her nest. I didn't want to go buy a whole container for just a few milliliters that the baby needed.
Lyz says
You still need a source of potassium for rehydration/ electrolyte replacement, This is good but unbalanced.
Amy Ridderhof says
If you add the orange juice, make sure that it is 100% juice (preferably organic) without additives. Alternatively, there is a company that sells essential oils that are simply wonderful! A few drops of the lemon or wild orange (or lemongrass, grapefruit, lime...you name it!) would make this much more palatable. I highly recommend the entire doTerra line of products!
Samantha says
If anyone is worried that kids will think this homemade version tastes "gross", then you haven't tasted Pedialyte! I drank some when I was severely sick and the "strawberry" flavor tasted thick like corn syrup and not even close to real strawberries. If a child prefers it over this homemade recipe, it's the flavor label that tricks their brains. Put the OJ in and tell them it's "orange flavor" and you will fare much better in the end! (: Just a few psychology tips from a recent college graduate.
Judi says
Good Timing for a recap! My littlest has a stomach bug. She is trampolining regular water, so a little help to get something in to keep her from getting dehydrated is always good. And since I am stuck at home as long as she is sick, this is perfect timing for me.
Jeanne says
I am a runner and my husband is a triathlete & coach. We eat about 85% real food, but found we needed a fluid/electrolyte replacement for long endurance training. Check out Skratch Labs products. They are made with real ingredients and would also work for a dehydrated or sick child/adult.
Geraldine says
Having lived in Africa, I had never heard of Pedialyte until I got here... Always used home-made ORS...
stephanie says
I'm sure this question has a very logical answer but I can't think of a reason why our bodies would need refined sugar?? I thought it was horribly bad for us, especially when ill. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to these comments! I know it's a lot of work!
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Stephanie. As I understand it, the combination of glucose and sodium help water get more rapidly into the bloodstream. ~Amy
Erica says
I have been using almost the same recipe for three years now. i refuse to buy the crap they sell. but i do not put juice in mine due to the fact that the juice usually make the diarrhea worse.
Brandon says
Could you substitute stevia for the sugar? If so what would be the amount of stevia used?
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Brandon. We do not use stevia. The versions of stevia commercially available are almost always highly processed. ~Amy
Michelle @ iHeartBudgets.net says
I'm wondering if you could use honey or other natural sweetener instead of sugar, and also if you mean sea salt or ionized salt? This will be good to keep in mind for when my little guy gets sick!
Lisa says
Michelle - I am honestly not sure if a natural sweetener will have the same effect as sugar. I normally avoid refined sugar as well, but I would check with a doctor before making a substitution in that type of situation (where you child is dehydrated).
jenny says
Thank you for this! I'm making it for my 3.5 year old this morning! Have really been appreciating your blog!
Trish Stewart says
Not just for babies....What a timely article for me! My husband (a senior) got a terrible GI virus on the evening this was published. Using your info, your question about coconut water, and the article "Homemade Oral Rehydration Solution for Diarrhea" by Nicole Evans M.D.(http://voices.yahoo.com/how-safely-homemade-oral-rehydration-solution-7503074.html?cat=5), I mixed up an ORS that worked miracles for him! In just 24 hours, he had bounced back from what usually takes a few days of recovery. Now, this is his "sports drink" of choice for golf days and we no longer even consider using the dangerous ingredients in commercial sports drinks. Thank you!!
Here's my Adult ORS Sports Drink:
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tsp baking soda (NOT baking powder!)
8 tsp sugar
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. orange juice
24 oz. (3 c.) coconut water
Dissolve the salt, soda and sugar in the warm water, add remaining liquid to yield 1 quart.
Note: I combined a measured quantity of the salt, soda and sugar in a jar so we could to take the mix on vacation. Use 2 1/2 tsp. of this mix per 1 CUP of liquid (1/8 c. warm water, 1/4 c. OJ, 11 oz coconut water);add more water or OJ to fill your bottle, if desired.
Lisa says
Thanks for this! I cut it with 1/3 100% apple juice (not sure if it helps or hurts a sick belly, but I feared my daughter wouldn't go for the slightly salty-water taste). She drank 2 big glasses. I don't know why we make everything more complicated and less healthy when it comes to food in this country! Thanks for all that you do.
Trish says
Just a word of caution, if your child is dehydrated due to diarrhea: apple juice causes/can contribute to diarrhea. It is helpful to give in the case of constipation, though. (If you're thinking of the BRAT diet, applesauce causes constipation. The difference in the juice vs the sauce is due to the skins of the apple.) So perhaps using a different juice in this case would be a better idea.
Allison Williams says
Thank you so much for posting this recipe. I have often wondered about Pedialyte and thought there has to be a more chemical free alternative. Thank you for doing the work for me. My two year old is sick and I made hime the drink and he loves it!!
Anne says
I am German and my first reaction was - wait there is a pre-made drink for that?
The second was, wtf are they putting into that
I grew up with watered down juice with a pinch of salt or the old and not quite as healthy flat Coca Cola and pretzel sticks trick once I was a bit better.
My great-aunt tends to use coconut water with a pinch of salt - but she lives in a country where it is easy to get fresh coconut water.
Simplest IV solution is basically watered down NaCl too
Also: I have been told about the WHO option in an advanced First Aid lesson - just mentioned, no recipe - and it'd have been my first point of research - as in "what would they do where they can't find a grocery store" way.
Dye Diet says
I am a professional PhD pharmaceutical chemist. I have reviewed both Pedialyte and Pediatric Electrolyte at Dye Diet.
Pedialyte Fruit Flavor contains 20 mg of Yellow 6 artificial color that always contains impurities of known human carcinogens, according to the FDA specifications data. Pediatric Electrolytes (CVS)are almost completely IDENTICAL to Pedialyte BUT note, all they are OVERPRICED to $4 - 5 a bottle!!! POTASSIUM lectrolyte content is only 22% of RDI. Go explore Dye Diet for more detail.
Christine says
I just made this today for my sick 2-year old and he preferred it over Pedialyte. (I don't think any special drink was required, but for a little boy not feeling well with a nasty cough desperately asking for milk and refusing water, being able to offer "juice" was a good distraction.)
I like this option not only because of how simple and "real" it is, but also because Pedialyte is so darn expensive! And my son won't go through an entire bottle in the 48 hours between opening it and the package's recommendation that the remainder should be thrown out.
This is a far better option. Thank you!
Marissa says
What do you do for higher fevers in terms of conventional medicine? I've been reading about the ingredients in Children's Tylenol and am horrified! Just wondering if there is some sort of dye free, non-gmo alternative (besides cold rags on the head)?? THANKS!!!
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Marissa. I give my kids the Motrin and Tylenol, but, the dye free version. I feel like they really get sick so much less now so when they run a fever, I do give them medicine to bring it back down. Jill
Shane says
Therapeutic Grade Essential oils (mainly Peppermint) can help bring down the temperature. Apply to feet, spine and maybe forehead. (Keep away from eyes)
There may still be times to use Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen but the Peppermint helps in our family.
Jenn says
This maybe a silly question but will this solution work on grown-ups with a stomach bug?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Jenn. Yes, it should work for the adults too! Jill
Denise says
Rehydration is sooo important! It's the first thing the hospitals ever do when you go in. When you are hydrated, you absorb more nutrients or medicine. Have you seen this hydrating drink powder? http://www.reliv.com/US/EN/Reliv-Innergize-Performance-Nutrition.html
Our family uses it during and after working out, during sickness or afterwards to rehydrate. It's dye-free, gluten-free, and raises electrolytes. Beet sugar is the source for the healthy fructose. Good to always have on hand.
Monica says
Thank you for this post.Instead of pedialyte, I have been giving my boys gatorade for dehydration. I figured it would be less toxic than pedialyte. However, I am so glad I found your post.Looking at the ingredients in both products they really are just sugar and salt plus artificial stuff.
Never knew how these itesm helped with absorption until now.
em@simplypresent says
This is especially helpful during this time of year. I'm assuming that it can be used for adults as well (similar to a sports drink) or am I worng?
Assistant to 100 Days (Jill) says
Hi Emmy. Yes, you can certainly use it for adults as well. Jill