Increase Your Water Intake
The first step to treat dehydration is increasing your water intake. Water is usually enough to rehydrate adults. You should drink sufficient water even if you do not feel particularly thirsty.
Sip small amounts of water and clear fluids throughout the day.
Drink carbohydrate- or electrolyte-containing drinks.
Suck on popsicles made from juices and sports drinks.
Suck on freeze bottled water or ice chips at frequent intervals.
According to the Institute of Medicine, healthy adult men living in a temperate climate need an adequate intake of about 13 cups (3 liters) of total beverages in a day. Healthy adult women need about 9 cups (2.2 liters) of total beverages a day.
Homemade ORS
homemade ORS for dehydration
Prompt restoration of lost fluids and minerals is important when suffering from dehydration. One easy way to achieve this is with a homemade oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Add ½ teaspoon of salt and 6 teaspoons of sugar (or brown sugar) to 4 cups of drinking water.
Stir thoroughly until the salt and sugar dissolve completely.
Drink this homemade ORS several times a day until you recover completely.
You can also buy ORS that are approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Yogurt
Yogurt is an effective remedy for dehydration due to diarrhea or vomiting. It is a good source of electrolytes. In addition, it is soothing to the stomach and easily digested.
Eat a cup of plain yogurt a few times a day. You can also add a little cottage cheese in it.
Another option is to eat plain boiled rice with yogurt and a little salt.
Watery Fruits and Vegetables
When suffering from mild to moderate dehydration, increase your intake of water-rich fruits and vegetables. According to a 2009 study done at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, fruits and vegetables that are high in water content hydrate the body twice as effectively as a glass of water.
Such fruits and vegetables contain hydrating salts, minerals and sugars, hence they work in a way similar to the isotonic drinks favored by athletes.
Some fruits and vegetables with high water content are watermelon, cantaloupe, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, cucumber, grapes, papaya, celery, lettuce, radishes, spinach, zucchini and tomatoes.
Eat these foods as snacks or add them to your salads and smoothies.