Nutrition Tips for Hot Summer Days

As summer temperatures soar into the triple digits, a proper diet is a critical tool for preventing heat-related illness.Tamara Weese, RD, a dietitian at St. Joseph's Medical Center, says that although hydration is essential for preventing heat exhaustion, diet is also equally important. 

"When you experience heat exhaustion, your body reduces its temperature mainly through perspiration, causing a loss of salt, potassium and fluids," says Weese.  In addition to staying hydrated, Weese offers the following diet tips for individuals exposed to high temperatures: 
  • Add foods to your diet that contain fluid such as soup and gelatin. 
  • When experiencing perspiration, high-salt foods including saltine crackers and pretzels will help to replace salt that has been lost in the body. 
  • Boiled or baked potatoes, tomato juice, melons and other high potassium foods will help replace potassium lost from sweating.
"Keep a water bottle at your desk, in your car, or wherever you'll be reminded to drink," Weese says. "Drink fluids throughout the day so that you don't become thirsty, which is an early sign of dehydration. "
Get a Diet Makeover

It's no secret that proper nutrition helps with weight control, disease treatment and prevention, and overall health - but translating the science of nutrition into everyday choices can be quite a task to tackle alone. Let the skilled dietitians at St. Joseph's Nutrition Counseling Service help you take control of your diet, and control of your health.  

Nutrition support is available for a variety of conditions and concerns:
  • Childhood nutrition/obesity 
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive disorders
  • General nutrition
  • Heart health
  • Kidney disorders
  • Pregnancy/lactation
  • Vegetarian nutrition
  • Weight management
Let us walk with you on your healthy eating journey. To find out more visit StJosephsCares.org/Nutrition .
Stay Cool and Keep Your Cool with Weekly Meditation

Weekly Meditation 
Date/Time: Tuesdays | 6-7 p.m.
Location: St. Joseph's Medical Center,  Cleveland Classroom 
Cost: This class is free and open to all. 
No registration required.


To find out more visit  StJosephsCares.org/Events.
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