Hydration is essential for maintaining good health. As the weather gets hotter and hotter, hydration is more vital than ever. You should always drink plenty of water, you can also stay hydrated by eating certain water-rich foods. This is a great idea if you haven’t gotten into the habit of carrying a water bottle at work or around the house. Check out 10 foods below that will keep your hydration levels in line!
Watermelon
Do we have to do any explaining for this one? It’s right in the name. Watermelon gets its name from the fact that 92% of it is, well, water. At a calorie count of 46 per cup, watermelon is extremely healthy and rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. Oh, and it offers some delicious, sweet flavor. What’s not to like?
Strawberries
Strawberries offer a little more sustenance than watermelon and are usually more filling. That said, they still contain a ton of water and antioxidants. Strawberries are among the healthiest fruits on Earth and, in our opinion, they are the tastiest.
Skim Milk
We know, this isn’t food, but we wanted to include it anyway. 1 or 2% milk aren’t unhealthy options, but skim milk offers much more water content and is very hydrating. Of course, it also contains no fat. It still contains other nutrients we get from fattier milk like calcium, riboflavin, potassium, and vitamins A and B12.
Cottage Cheese
Roughly 80% of the weight in cottage cheese comes from water. Cottage cheese is also high in protein which can have an appetite-reducing effect, which is good for those starting a diet. Furthermore, cottage cheese is rich in phosphorus and calcium.
Cabbage
Maybe you only eat cabbage when it’s in sauerkraut or coleslaw, or maybe you love it by itself. Either way, cabbage is rich in water and high in fiber. Additionally, cabbage provides glucosinolates. These are antioxidants that can help build up protection against different types of cancer.
Grocery Shopping Tips For Beginners
Cauliflower
Just one cup of cauliflower contains a quarter of a cup of water as well as three grams of fiber, which, like protein, can suppress your appetite. And in that one cup, you will find only 25 calories. Cauliflower is great on its own, but it can also be chopped finely into “rice” pieces or used as a substitute for traditional dough in a pizza crust.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are well-known for their nutrition profile, but did you know more than 90% of their weight is water? With just 32 calories per cup, tomatoes are rich in lycopene which has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are versatile, too. Enjoy them raw, put them in salsa, or enjoy them in your favorite pasta sauce!
Celery
Celery isn’t going to be very filling but it is a great option for a quick snack. With only 16(!!!) calories and one-half cup of water per cup of celery, this veggie is the ideal diet snack. Celery will certainly help your hydration and with some willpower, it can be a catalyst for your diet.
Lettuce
Like cabbage, lettuce is a leafy green veggie with very high water content. Unlike cabbage, lettuce is versatile and very popular. Whether you’re having a salad or topping a sandwich with it, lettuce is everywhere and you’d be hard-pressed to go more than a day or two without having some on your plate. Lettuce has plenty of vitamin K and vitamin A, and its use as a filler helps to keep you more full without having to increase your calorie intake.
Cantaloupe
It’s about time we included a melon on this list. Cantaloupe has a deliciously unique flavor and about 90% of its weight is from water. It makes for a great side for any meal or it can be added to salads, smoothies, yogurt, or even salsa.