Pedialyte is a drink that restores mineral loss after vomiting and diarrhea. This drink is particularly useful for toddlers and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to dehydration than the general population.
Here is a recipe for a natural electrolyte drink for babies, children and adults, an alternative to Pedialyte. It doesn’t get much simpler (or more effective!) than this. I can give you a recipe for an amazing, all-natural, better-than-pharmacy-bought Pedialyte drink to rehydrate your sick baby or child (or yourself) to be made with only 3 ingredients: water, sugar and salt.
This is the magic formula to replace commercial Pedialyte. You can find the recipe below. But first, let’s explain why this combination is such a good natural alternative to Pedialyte.
Basic ingredients of traditional pedialyte
Water, dextrose. Less than 2% of the following: Citric acid, natural and artificial flavour, potassium citrate, salt, sodium citrate, sucralose, acesulfame, potassium, zinc gluconate and Yellow 6.
In other words.Sugar water with salt and minerals added, and a generous dose of artificial colors and flavors. And you can bet that the dextrose is derived from GMO corn.
Pedialyte Nutritional Value
Electrolytes are minerals and nutrients found in blood and other body fluids that carry an electrical charge. So let’s look at the mineral content of Pedialyte.
- Sodium mEq: 45
- Potassium mEq : 20
- Chloride mEq: 35
Zinc mg : 7.8
- Nutritional data
- Dextrose, g : 25
- Calories : 100
A natural drink based on alternative electrolytes
It’s easy to make a natural electrolyte drink at home – using ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen – that don’t have all the concentrated chemicals in the commercial Pedialyte. This recipe is 100% compliant with WHO and UNICEF guidelines for oral rehydration salts (ORS).
Natural ingredients of Pedialyte House
- 6 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 liter (or 4.2 cups) filtered drinking water
If you have organic sugar and natural sea salt, even better.
Do-it-yourself natural Pedialyte recipe
Mix all the above ingredients in a clean jar or bowl. Double check and make sure you use the correct amounts of each ingredient. Too much sugar can make diarrhea symptoms worse, and too much salt can also be harmful.
How to feed your child this natural pediatrics alternative
Encourage a dehydrated child to drink as much of this Pedialyte alternative as possible.
- Children under 2 years of age need at least 1/2 cup of this drink after each bout of diarrhea.
- Children over 2 years of age need at least 1 cup of this drink after each attack of diarrhea.
- If you need to, you can spoon-feed your child with this solution.
This drink will replenish your child with fluid and nutrients that are lost during diarrhea.
Diarrhea or loose stools usually last less than four days.
When should you call a doctor?
Call the doctor if your child is sick:
- is less than 6 months old
- with traces of blood in vomit or stool
- vomiting for more than 6 hours
- has a temperature greater than 38.2°C and diarrhea
- has stomach pain that continues to worsen
We hope this natural electrolyte drink helps you or your child…. It is terrible to see your child suffering from diarrhea or dehydration. We hope this WHO approved oral rehydration solution (ORS) offers some relief.