Nuts for Coconuts: Healthy Hydration

Enjoying the beach and soaking up the sun this past week in Antigua has been truly an escape to paradise. With all the sunshine and heat, we were wary of the downfalls of dehydration. We’d all be so exhausted from being out in the sun all day that by the time dinner was over, we’d barely make it back to the room for bed. As an avid fan of coconut water as a supplement after working out, I was happy to add this to my diet each day on the beach. With so many health benefits, coconut water is a great way to stay hydrated and boost energy levels in the heat. Many athletes and yogis swear by it as a natural alternative to sports drinks to replenish essential electrolytes such a sodium and potassium that are lost through sweating.

The best part of drinking coconut water on the beach? Popping a coconut from a nearby palm tree and sticking in a straw. Fresh coconut water is slightly sweet and a little bit salty, but oh-so-refreshing!The Antiguan black pineapple (shown below) is a specific type native to Antigua. It is unique in that the core is soft and sweet, so the entire inside can be eaten. We picked one up from a roadside stand, and it was the perfect treat to slice up after a long day at the beach.Did you know that pineapples grow in crops on the ground? This actually blew my mind! I’m not sure how I thought they were grown, but check out the picture below for a visual. And of course, a piña colada is a vacation necessity with all the coconut and pineapple blended together for a frothy frozen treat!