Most of us have the best of intentions about hydrating ourselves consistently. You may be among those who are on top of their game when it comes to getting enough water each day. Or, you may be one of those who really need some help in remembering to stay hydrated! Either way, we can admit that it can be a daily challenge to remember to stay hydrated and avoid the repercussions of dehydration.
One way to offset any water deficit you may be experiencing is to make sure that the foods you eat are hydrating. By this, I’m not encouraging you to skip drinking several glasses of plain water daily. That should be a basic health practice for everyone. Rather, the more you include a wide array of delicious produce and drinks in your diet, the greater the hydration boost you’ll enjoy.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers aren’t just great on salads; they’re also a fantastic way to add water to your diet. Cucumbers contain 95% water and are a great way to stay hydrated. In addition, a cup of cucumber provides almost one-fifth of your Vitamin K requirement, as well as key vitamins like B and C and minerals like copper, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. These cooling and refreshing veggies are great to use as a side item, on your salads, sandwiches, or as a filling snack.
Oranges
Oranges are a sweet and delicious way to get more water in without actually drinking your water requirement in liquid form. They’re perfectly portable too, so if you find that you’re falling short on your goal of refilling your water bottle, keep a bowl of oranges (or clementines, mandarins, or tangerines) nearby. Since they also contain vitamin C, you get a nice immunity boost, which is more important in the age of Covid-19 than ever before.
Watermelon
Perhaps the best way to stay hydrated, especially in the summer, is to fill up on watermelon. Not only does it taste sweet and refreshing, but it is almost 100% water by weight and loaded with key vitamins and minerals. Eating watermelon will fulfill your desire to consume something sweet while cooling you down and re-hydrating you all at once. Plus, have you ever tried it in a smoothie? Heavenly!
Spinach
Whenever you use spinach as a base for your salads, every mouthful automatically increases the amount of hydration your body receives. Like watermelon, spinach is almost totally made of water by weight.
If you aren’t a fan of the way spinach tastes, add it to a smoothie along with your watermelon, and you’ll never even realize that it’s in there. Spinach is loaded with vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, iron, and manganese, so on top of hydrating you, it will provide the nourishment you crave.
Strawberries
Strawberries are more than 90% water, they taste great, and you can add them to your oats, yogurt, and smoothies. They make a fantastic addition to any breakfast–savory or sweet. But one of my favorite ways to incorporate strawberries is in a spinach-based salad with hemp seeds, a home-made salad dressing, and some shredded carrot and bell peppers.
I like to buy strawberries when they’re on sale and freeze them. In that way, I have an ample supply on hand for whatever treat I want to make. And you gain tons of nutrient points from strawberries, such as an increase in HDL or good cholesterol, lowered blood pressure, and, possibly, improved vision.
Infused water
Another way to get creative in hydrating yourself is by mixing water and your favorite fruits to create water infusions. This can be as simple as adding a few slices of lemon, lime, or grapefruit to your water bottle. You can also try infusion recipes, such as mixing fruit and herbs. Strawberry basil, lemon thyme, and cucumber mint are some popular and delicious options.
Which hydrating foods do you tend to consume, and which do you want to eat more of?
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