Hydrating Foods for the Win
By Brandi Goodman
Water is essentially all you need to keep you hydrated. Although most people know this fact, not many follow through with actually drinking the daily amount of water they require. Rather than having to constantly drink to get your hydration, you can try some foods that are hydrating on their own. These fruits and vegetables are beneficial to your health anyway, so why not let them help you get your water intake up as well?
Watermelon
Water is actually in the name of this fruit. Take advantage of it and enjoy watermelon as often as you can. It's mostly available in the summer months, but you may be able to find some already cut up with other fruits in a tray at other times throughout the year. You can take in a half-cup of water just from eating one cup of watermelon.
Strawberries
Strawberries are about 91 percent water. This vitamin-packed fruit is well worth it to consume on the regular. Dice up a full cup of this red berry and you'll only be taking in roughly 49 calories. It's a great low-calorie snack that's incredibly hydrating for your body.
Peaches
Peaches are approximately 90 percent water. Don't get the version from the can, though. You need to enjoy a full peach from the produce aisle to get the best benefits. Many canned versions are high in calories and sugar due to the syrup they come in to keep them from going bad.
Oranges
Oranges are a beneficial citrus fruit that provides plenty of Vitamin C. It's encouraged to eat oranges to keep away colds and sickness. They're also very hydrating, made up of roughly 88 percent water. When you're feeling thirsty, eating an orange can help meet your needs. You could also squeeze an orange and drink its juice to get a refreshing beverage.
Cucumber
A cucumber has long been considered a vegetable, even though it really meets the fruit criteria most closely. Either way, this green food contains 95 percent water. Cucumbers are incredibly low in calories, with an entire one clocking in at roughly 45 calories. You'll be hydrated and satisfied when you eat one. It provides 2 grams of fiber and plenty of Vitamin K.
Add these hydrating foods to your regular menu and you'll be upping your hydration like never before. You should still do your best to drink your eight cups of water per day, but adding these fruits and vegetables to your meal plan can greatly help you achieve the hydrated status your body so desperately requires.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Chapel Hill, N.C.