- Kerry Washington shared that she starts her day with hot lemon water with salt and stevia.
- Salt adds some electrolytes to the lemon water, while lemons add some vitamin C.
- If you want to add more electrolytes to your day, other drinks with less sodium can also help.
There’s nothing Scandal-ous about the things Kerry Washington carries in her bag each day—though the lineup is pretty fun. The actor recently unpacked her stylish Miu Miu tote for InStyle’s “What’s in My Bag” series, and lots of her go-to gear looks familiar: hand sanitizer, an iPhone and a Labubu bag charm for starters. But it’s Washington’s morning drink that’s giving us pause and making us feel a little thirsty.
As she unpacks her bag and explains why she carries each item, Washington grabs a large, glass bottle of Mountain Valley Spring Water. “I read about microplastics and how they’re really not good for you,” she says in the clip. “And so, I’ve been trying to avoid plastic bottles. I can’t always have [water] out of a glass bottle, but this is my favorite brand of water.”
“In the morning,” she explains, “I like to start by pouring out a portion of this bottle. I pour it into my teapot and then, in this bottle, I put two lemons, squeezed, a pinch of salt for natural electrolytes, sometimes a pinch of cayenne and a bunch of drops of stevia. I shake it up and drink it usually in one sitting, and those are like my natural electrolytes for the day.”
Electrolytes are minerals that regulate pH levels, fluid balance and muscle contraction within the body. The body’s major electrolytes are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. If you’re not getting enough of them, you may experience symptoms like fatigue, muscle cramps, headaches and dizziness, so it’s always a good idea to sip on something that replenishes electrolytes in the body, especially first thing in the morning.
Sure, you can drink energy drinks like Gatorade or add electrolyte powders like Skratch to your water, but there’s also something to be said for adding a pinch of salt to water, like Washington, to get the electrolytes you need—though drinking salty lemon water in the morning doesn’t exactly sound the most fun to us.
For something a bit more flavorful, you can try some of our favorite homemade electrolyte drink recipes, like our Homemade Electrolyte Drink, made from coconut water and OJ, or our three-ingredient Watermelon Electrolyte Drink.
But just how good is Washington’s at-home electrolyte mix at replenishing what the body needs? We asked Emily Lachtrupp, an editor and dietitian at EatingWell, for the scoop.
“Most of the electrolytes in Kerry’s electrolyte concoction are from the pinch of salt, which provides sodium,” Lachtrupp says. “Lemon juice offers a small amount of potassium but not much. It does, however, add a good dose of vitamin C and a tart flavor. Her morning drink of choice is great for hydration, but it doesn’t necessarily offer a high dose of electrolytes.”
Of course, hydration and electrolytes are critical to keeping your body fueled and energized. If you really need those electrolytes in a hurry—and don’t have time to mix up your own drink—look for an electrolyte sports drink with less added sugar at the store or grab a bottle of coconut water.
Whether you’re always on the go like Washington, looking for a hydrating drink on a long day of travel or seeking a centering morning routine to kickstart each day, sipping a balancing, replenishing drink that’s hydration-focused is a good idea, especially before diving into your morning caffeine boost.
