Key takeaways:
Pedialyte is a type of oral rehydration solution. Oral rehydration solutions contain water, electrolytes, and sugar. They can help prevent dehydration.
You can make your own oral rehydration solution at home instead of buying pre-made Pedialyte at the store or pharmacy.
You’ll need table sugar, table salt, and clean water to make Pedialyte at home. You can also buy oral rehydration packets and mix them with water to create your own oral rehydration solution.
Pedialyte is the brand name for a type of oral rehydration solution that first hit the market in 1964. Pedialyte is made up of water, sugar, electrolytes, and sometimes flavoring. Though usually found in the children’s aisle, adults and children can drink Pedialyte.
Pedialyte and other oral rehydration solutions can help treat and prevent dehydration caused by infections and certain medical conditions. Oral rehydration solutions save countless lives each year.
Since its debut, Pedialyte has been the go-to oral rehydration solution for parents and healthcare professionals. But some people prefer a more “natural,” homemade version of Pedialyte that’s free of dyes and preservatives. Whether you’re looking to make your own post-workout drink or trying to keep your sick child from getting dehydrated, here’s what you need to know about homemade Pedialyte.
Homemade Pedialyte recipe
There are several ways to make Pedialyte at home. It’s important to point out that what you make at home won’t be exactly like Pedialyte. Pedialyte contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that makes it different from other oral rehydration solutions. But you can replicate the main ingredients: fluid, electrolytes, and sugar.
To make sure you’re using the right amount of each, always follow a recipe that has the stamp of approval from a healthcare professional. Here are some recipes to try at home.
Oral rehydration packets
This one is a shortcut. You can buy oral rehydration packets that contain the exact amount of sugar, electrolytes, and minerals you need. You mix 1 packet with clean water, shake to mix, and drink. The instructions will let you know how much water to use for 1 packet.
Oral rehydration packets are available at local pharmacies without a prescription. They’re convenient because you can take the packets anywhere and only make as much as you need.
World Health Organization recipe
The World Health Organization (WHO) has two recipes for oral rehydration solutions: a simple version and a reduced-osmolarity version. The reduced-osmolarity oral rehydration solution is recommended for children with gastroenteritis.
To make reduced-osmolarity oral rehydration solution, mix together:
⅜ tsp of table salt
¼ tsp of sodium-free salt substitute (like Morton Salt Substitute)
½ tsp of baking soda
2 tbsp + 2 tsp table sugar
4¼ cups (1 L) water
Oral rehydration solutions with a broth or miso paste base
You can also make your own oral rehydration solution using broth (chicken, beef, or vegetable) or miso paste.
To make a broth-based oral rehydration solution, mix together:
2 cups liquid broth (don’t use reduced-sodium broth)
2 cups water
2 tbsp table sugar
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For a miso paste version, mix together:
7 tsp miso paste
1 tbsp table sugar
4 cups of water
These recipes make 1 L (4¼ cups) of oral rehydration solution.
Basic oral rehydration solution recipe
Here’s a simple recipe for oral rehydration solution. Mix:
32 oz (4 cups) water
½ tsp table salt
2 tbsp table sugar
When should you drink Pedialyte?
There are several reasons why a child or adult might drink Pedialyte.
You have gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an infection that causes diarrhea and vomiting. It's also known as the stomach flu, a stomach bug, or food poisoning. People with gastroenteritis lose a lot of fluid because of vomiting and diarrhea. And they often have a hard time eating and drinking. This puts them at risk for developing dehydration. Oral rehydration solutions, like Pedialyte, can replace the fluids and minerals you lose when you have gastroenteritis.
You need to rehydrate after working out
Your body loses fluids and electrolytes whenever you’re active. The longer and harder you exercise, the more fluids and electrolytes you lose. After a workout, you need to rehydrate.
Pedialyte and other sports drinks that have electrolytes can replace both fluid and electrolytes.
But sports and other electrolyte-containing drinks can be high in sugar. Pedialyte and other oral rehydration solutions do contain sugar — but not as much as sports drinks. There are 9 g of sugar in a 12-oz bottle of Pedialyte. That’s less than half of the amount of sugar in regular Gatorade or Powerade.
If you exercise less than an hour, you may be fine with a sugar-free sports drink or electrolyte solution.
You have certain medical conditions
People with certain medical conditions or those who have an ostomy can get dehydrated quickly, especially when they're sick with a virus. If your condition is flaring, or you’re sick with a cold or another type of virus, you often need to rely on oral rehydration solutions to stay hydrated. In these cases, you need a very specific combination of fluid, electrolytes, and minerals. Oral rehydration solutions, like Pedialyte, contain all of these things in just the right amounts.
Keep in mind that people with kidney conditions may need to limit their daily intake of fluids and electrolytes. If you have a chronic kidney condition, talk with your healthcare team about whether you should make your own Pedialyte.
Should you make your own Pedialyte at home?
If you can get to a local pharmacy or grocery store, you can simply purchase Pedialyte. But if you can’t get access to Pedialyte and you need an oral rehydration solution, you can make your own at home.
There’s no evidence that homemade Pedialyte is any more effective than the kind you buy at the store. But if you prefer to make your own oral rehydration solution at home, you can do it safely by following a set recipe.
Is it safe to make Pedialyte at home?
It’s safe to make your own oral rehydration solution at home. Just make sure to follow a couple of rules:
Use a clean water source. If you’re not sure about your water source, you can use bottled or distilled water.
Follow the recipe. Adding too much or too little sugar or electrolytes can worsen dehydration.
Store appropriately. You should make fresh oral rehydration solutions throughout the day. Try to make only as much as you need at that moment. You should store leftovers in the refrigerator for no longer than 4 to 6 hours.
Frequently asked questions
There’s no “best” homemade electrolyte drink. The right drink for you depends on how many electrolytes you’re losing and whether you have any underlying medical conditions.
Yes, people with Type 2 diabetes can drink Pedialyte. But keep in mind that the classic formula contains sugar. So, if you’re trying to reduce sugar in your diet, you may want to choose a sugar-free formula instead.
Electrolyte imbalances can cause symptoms like heart palpitations, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. Seek medical care if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
There’s no “best” homemade electrolyte drink. The right drink for you depends on how many electrolytes you’re losing and whether you have any underlying medical conditions.
Yes, people with Type 2 diabetes can drink Pedialyte. But keep in mind that the classic formula contains sugar. So, if you’re trying to reduce sugar in your diet, you may want to choose a sugar-free formula instead.
Electrolyte imbalances can cause symptoms like heart palpitations, nausea, confusion, and fatigue. Seek medical care if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
The bottom line
Pedialyte is a brand of oral rehydration solution. Oral rehydration solutions contain fluids, electrolytes, and sugars in a specific combination. They’re used to prevent dehydration and treat mild to moderate dehydration.
You can purchase oral rehydration packets and add them to water at home. You can also safely make your own oral rehydration solution at home using common ingredients. Just make sure to use a clean water source and follow a recipe from a trusted medical source.
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References
Dartmouth Health. (n.d.). Oral rehydration solution recipes.
Mazur, J. (2022). Best sports drinks to rehydrate after every type of workout. Men’s Journal.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Fluid and electrolyte balance.
Pedialyte. (n.d.). Why Pedialyte?
Pedialyte. (n.d.). Pedialyte® Classic: Mixed fruit.
Pedialyte. (n.d.). Pedialyte® Electrolyte Water Liters: Fruit punch.
Sollanek, K. J., et al. (2019). Osmolality of commercially available oral rehydration solutions: Impact of brand, storage time, and temperature. Nutrients.
Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. (2021). SIP: Staying hydrated with oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Wall, E. (2020). ORS: The solutions to optimize hydration in short bowel syndrome. Practical Gastroenterology.
