Keto Electrolyte Drinks — DIY with Four Variations
One of the barriers to the keto diet is what has commonly been called “the keto flu,” which is simply a set of flu-like symptoms that come as your body adapts to a new diet and begins to process electrolytes differently. I did not experience “the keto flu” in this round of dieting, but I definitely did in the first low-carb diet I followed over fifteen years ago. The symptoms were pretty intense, lasted a few weeks, and I had no idea what was going on. These days, an electrolyte drink is a pretty simple solution. The flavor of these drinks does not tend to be fabulous, but it really is pretty solid, and the flavor is far better than dizziness, nausea, and leg cramps.
Several homemade recipes have emerged in the group thanks to both Anna Sul and Jackie Patti.
Anna Sul, a.k.a. “Bear #2,” is an avid drinker of homemade electrolyte drinks and prefers a recipe she discovered in yet another Facebook group, the Magnesium Advocacy Group, founded by Morley Robbins.
Anna says, “My family makes double batches for the day in 28-ounce shaker bottles. We drink one throughout the day. My husband usually drinks closer to two a day. I might drink two if I am on an extended fast or stressed out, but usually one is enough. I use a shaker bottle with a mixing ball inside. The ball helps to dissolve the cream of tartar.”
The recipes are a good starting point for a day. They are intended to be consumed throughout the day. Some people have gastric distress if they guzzle them in one guzzle. (I tend to guzzle mine in a few guzzles.)
Electrolyte Drink with Cream of Tartar
24 ounces (700 ml) of water
1 ½ teaspoon (6 ml) cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate)
½ teaspoon (2 ml) salt
½ teaspoon (2 ml) whole vitamin C powder, or a few squeezes of lemon or lime
Jackie Patti calculated the potassium and sodium in other common products and offers variations based on what might already be in your pantry.
Lite Salt Variation
24 ounces (700 ml) of water
½ teaspoon (2 ml) Lite salt
¼ teaspoon (1 ml) salt
NuSalt Variation
24 ounces (700 ml) of water
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) NuSalt
1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) salt
Baking Soda Variation
24 ounces (700 ml) of water
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) potassium bicarbonate, sodium-free baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (2 ml) salt