Getting Hydrated Through Your Food!
Water: Just because it’s good for you, doesn’t mean that everyone enjoys it, resulting in many people being dehydrated. It’s ok, we understand. Do you know why we aren’t in dismay that not everyone is refreshed by water? Because being hydrated doesn’t solely come from drinking water. You can eat it too! Here is a list of refreshing and hydrating foods to add to your meals to get your water fix. Not only do these foods offer hydration, but they also are packed with health benefits to boot. (That being said, you should definitely continue to drink water regularly, however, if it’s a limited amount then these foods are your ticket to the hydration station).
Cucumber
The flesh of cucumbers is primarily composed of water. It also contains vitamin C and caffeic acid, both of which aid in soothing skin irritations and reduces swelling. Do cucumbers on the eyes ring a bell? Cucumber kicks swelling in the butt.
Mixed greens salad
Most leafy greens contain 94 percent water, making it a low-energy food. This results in you feeling fuller on fewer calories and lose weight faster.
Chicken noodle soup
This team favorite when you’re fighting a cold isn’t MVP just because it tastes good. Chicken noodle soup can seriously hydrate you when you need it, making it perfect for getting fluids into your system when you’re sick. Each cup has about 840 milligrams of sodium to help you retain the broth and 14 grams of carbohydrates to help you absorb it.
Eggplant
Eggplants are amazing as a regularly consumed weight loss food. They’re high in fiber and water but low in calories. Just avoid recipes that involve frying because that defeats the purpose of eating as a weight loss aid. Eggplant’s spongy texture means it will absorb a lot of oil and as a result, negate the calorie advantage.
Zucchini
Consisting of 95 percent water weight, Zucchini is one of the most hydrating vegetables you can eat. A single serving has less than 25 calories and is an excellent source of folate, potassium, and vitamins A and C.
Cantaloupe
It is really quite amazing how flavorful this melon is even though it is 90 percent water. Not to mention, it’s just 56 calories per cup. One cup of cantaloupe also provides 103.2 percent of the daily value for vitamin A.
Watermelon
A 2009 study at the University of Aberdeen Medical School found that the combination of salts, minerals and natural sugars in some fruits and vegetables can actually hydrate people more effectively than water or even sports drinks. Watermelon was at the top of the list, due to its 92 percent water content and essential rehydration salts calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium.
Bell Peppers
Not only do these vibrant sweet peppers liven up your plate with color, bell peppers are 92 percent water. They are also rich sources of vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6, beta carotene, and folic acid. Nutrient jackpot.
Pear
Pears are all around just great. Besides the fact that they have a sweet, refreshing taste, one medium pear contains 6 grams of dietary fiber or 24 percent of the daily recommended value. Plus, the type of fiber found in pears (soluble fiber) helps you feel full for a longer period of time. Heeeellllloooo, weight loss!
Romaine lettuce
It may have slightly less water than iceberg lettuce, but romaine contains 3 times more folate, 6 times more vitamin C, and 8 times the beta-carotene. Iceberg lettuce offers little health benefits. Use Romaine lettuce as a sturdy base for more substantial salads.
Pineapple
This particularly juicy fruit is packed with bromelain, a mixture of compounds with potent anti-inflammatory powers. Eating pineapple now may cause you to be able to avoid pain killers in the future.
Carrots
Carrots are made up of about 87 percent water and more of the powerful antioxidant beta-carotene than any other vegetable or fruit. Studies have found that compounds in carrots help protect against skin, lung and oral cavity cancers.
Mangos
Consisting of only 135 calories per fruit, Mangos are great for weight loss and they’re a good source of vitamins A, B6, and C, plus fiber.
Apples
You’ve heard it before: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But this juicy superfood has also been linked to lower cholesterol levels, weight loss and preventing a host of chronic health woes such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, diabetes, and even certain cancers.
Grapefruit
The chemical properties of grapefruit lower insulin levels and help control appetite, which can lead to weight loss. You can try adding half a grapefruit to your breakfast or drink a glass of freshly squeezed grapefruit juice any time of day to aid in reaching your weight loss goals.
Yogurt
When you become dehydrated, your body loses electrolytes in addition to water. Adding yogurt to your diet will provide a substantial amount of potassium and sodium, helping replace the lost electrolytes and re-energize your body keeping you hydrated.
Strawberries
Snacking on these hydrating berries will make you a little healthier each day. They are 92 percent water and delicious. Studies show that people who eat one serving of strawberries per day tend to have higher blood levels of the B vitamin folate, which helps keep arteries clear.
Oranges
Oranges are made up of a juicy 87 percent water. They are sweet and packed with more than 100 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin C. The trouble of peeling is well worth the time and effort.
Raw broccoli
Vitamin C, fiber, calcium, and few calories. Oh, and also It’s composed of 91 percent water, too! Powerhouse veggie over here.
Raspberries
At a whopping 8 grams per cup, raspberries contain the highest amount of fiber over any other commonly consumed berry. Plus, they’re packed with ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that is thought to help prevent and fight cancer.
Celery
Crunchy celery is 96 percent water, but it also provides a combination of mineral salts, amino acids and vitamins that research shows may hydrate your body twice as effectively as a glass of water.
Organic Blueberries
Is there anything blueberries can’t do? Studies have linked this super-fruit to everything from cancer prevention and better heart health, to anti-aging and improved eyesight. Oh, and they are extremely hydrating.
Raw spinach
At seven calories per cup, raw spinach is undeniably a great food to fill up on when you want to lose weight. One cup provides more than 50 percent of your daily vitamin A needs, as well as being high in protein and vitamin C.
Red Seedless Grapes
Stay hydrated by snacking on red seedless grapes, or try adding them to salads and yogurt. The skins of red grapes contain resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
Tomato
Tomatoes are composed of about 95 percent water. That means that, along with their wonderful sweetness, comes enough moisture to cut back on higher-calorie condiments on your sandwich. Moreover, tomatoes can keep you hydrated always.
Kiwi
One large, juicy kiwi has only 56 calories and 20 percent more vitamin C than an orange.