It’s been over 40°C (that’s 107°F) every day this week. Climate change has hit Nyamboyo Village with a vengeance.
Everyone is soldiering through the school day but by the end, we’re exhausted and achy. So, we reached out to our beloved nutritionist, Courtney Hamilton, for advice on how to combat the side effects of heat.
Here are highlights of her response:
When we sweat, we lose more than fluids. We lose electrolytes which are the essential minerals that help our bodies function. Electrolytes include sodium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. If we were in the US, we’d drink Gatorade. But what are the sources we can access easily in Nyamboyo Village?
The answer is surprisingly simple and sitting here on our plates!
Citrus and banana peels are full of electrolytes. We can easily serve bananas every day at NTS. All we need to do is add them to our water and let them sit for a bit. Presto – instant flavor and hydration innovation! (And as with any recipe, a pinch of salt can’t hurt and will add essential sodium.)
Next week, we’ll talk about the essential foods we eat that also help us keep our electrolytes in balance particularly through the heat.