Fluids

Growing children have a greater body surface area compared to their body weight. This means that children should drink more fluids as compared to adults. Liquids are the most importants part of an active child’s diet. Fluid is important to prevent over heating and dehydration. muscles tend to heat up when a child is physically active and extra fluid is needed to maintain the blood volume so that circulating fluid can reach into muscles and carry the heat away to the skin. The heat released primarily by sweating. Sweating, without replacement fluids, can lead to dehydration. One of the first symptoms of dehydration is fatigue. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of fluid imbalance. This is because they don’t handle heat well they get hotter during exercise and their hearts have a lower blood output. Unfortunately for young children, thirst is not a good indicator of hydration needs. Be sure your child drinks water before, during and after he plays any game that may be physically challenging. The best fluid replacement is water. But if your child is more apt to drink it if it is flavoured, than a sports drink or a diluted juice would work. A full strength juice or juice drink has too concentrated a source of carbohydrates (sugars) which are not needed by the body. juicy fruits like watermelon, tomatoes, grapes and oranges are good choices.