Foods That Help Keep You Hydrated

(Photo credit: bterrycompton)

Staying hydrated is important to everybody’s health. Studies have shown that drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, as well as prevent headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Water can also be a contributing factor to weight loss in a variety of ways. First, water fills up your stomach making your feel fuller without consuming any calories. Second, water slows down the absorption of food in your stomach so you feel full for a longer period of time. Lastly, replacing sugary or alcoholic drinks with water can cut out a lot of calories that you were previously consuming.

The recommended amount of water an individual should consume each day varies depending on who you ask. Many doctors recommend 9 cups of water for women and 12.5 cups for men as a basic guideline, but an individual’s body type and the amount of physical activity they partake in are factors that affect how much water is right for them. Despite the variability in the amount of water an individual should consume, many people find it difficult to reach the baseline amount. There are an assortment of reasons why individuals don’t consume enough water in a day. Some simply don’t remember to drink water throughout the day while others don’t like the taste of water.

If you are one of the forgetful ones, try carrying a water bottle with you as a reminder to drink enough water each day. For those of you who don’t like the taste of water, try adding lemon, lime, or mint to give water a different flavor. Furthermore, you can eat foods that have a high water content if you still aren’t getting enough water. Fruits and vegetables are most commonly known for having a high water content. The following can help contribute to your daily need:

Watermelon

Since water is in the fruit’s name, it is pretty obvious that this one has a high water content. Watermelon is approximately 92 percent water. Just make sure you don’t eat the seeds, you don’t want a watermelon to grow in your belly!

Strawberries

Strawberries are around 91 percent water. Since they are naturally sweet, they are great for tackling a sweet tooth as well as contributing to your daily water intake.

Cantaloupe

Nearly 90 percent water, cantaloupe is another great source of water. Combine it with watermelon and honeydew for a delicious fruit salad with a high water content!

Cucumbers

Cucumbers are about 96 percent water, making them the vegetable with the highest water content. Cucumbers make a great addition to a salad and the majority of the ingredients in a salad, such as lettuce and carrots have a high water content too!

Tomatoes

Another vegetable with a high water content is tomatoes. They are roughly 93 percent water and like cucumbers, they are a good ingredient for a salad. If you eat tomatoes like an apple or cut them up to eat alone, avoid putting salt on them. The salt can dehydrate you.

About the Author

Gina Blake is a guest contributor from Serv-A-Pure, a manufacturer and distributor or residential and commercial water treatment systems.  

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