Sometimes drinking a lot of water is just boring or you might not realize how much you need to stay hydrated. Or maybe you are worried you will have to pee all the time so you don’t drink as much water as you should. I find myself trying seltzer waters and new ways to give my water some flavor, but a lot of times, we don’t realize there are other ways we can and should be hydrating.
According to the Institute of Medicine, we actually should be eating 20 percent of our daily water intake. Foods such as soup, yogurt, and oatmeal are actually great fluid filled foods. However, there are some fruits and vegetables, that are great options to keep you hydrated as they are mostly made up of water. Also, water isn’t the only liquid food you can drink to stay hydrated, there are some other great drink options when water isn’t what you are feeling.
For some of you, simply adding fruit to your water will be enough to help keep you hydrated and boost up your water game, but for those looking for other options besides water, I got you covered.
Hydrating Fruits
Watermelon
Photo by Tiare Brown
Watermelon is great for when you need a little extra hydration during this hot summer. This fruit is mostly made up of water. However, it also contains salt, calcium, and magnesium, which is what makes it the perfect food to munch on for rehydration.
A lot of times, people think if you are dehydrated just to drink more water, however there are key vitamins and even salt which is depleted when our bodies are dehydrated and can’t be absorbed from water alone. Find out how to pick the best watermelon ever to keep you hydrated.
Strawberries
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Strawberries are 91 percent water and are great for keeping you hydrated. They contain more water compared to raspberries and blueberries, which contain about 85 percent water. Taylor Swift loves them, which could be a reason in itself for you to love them too.
Cucumbers
Photo by Jenny Georgieva
Cucumbers are also a great snack when you aren’t feeling a glass of water. This food is made up of 96 percent water, and has no saturated fat or cholesterol, and is very high in vitamin K, vitamin B6, and iron.
Tomatoes
Photo by Jenny Georgieva
You might not of realized, but tomatoes are actually 94.5 percent water. The grape varieties are great for a hydrating snack as you can just pop them right into your mouth.
Hydrating Vegetables
Baby Carrots
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Don’t reach for a full sized carrot; the baby carrots actually contain more water, as they are made up of 90.4 percent water. Meanwhile, full size carrots are known to only be made up of 88.3 percent water.
Spinach
Photo by Kristine Mahan
I love spinach in my salads, and it is a great hydrating food, as it is 91.4 percent water, but also rich in nutrients. It is packed with potassium, fiber, and contains 15 percent of your daily intake of Vitamin E.
Celery
Photo by Elizabeth Laymen
Celery is also a food, which consists mostly of water. Celery is about 95 percent water, and is also high in fiber and minerals including potassium and vitamin K. This is a great hydrating snack when you want something to crunch on.
Drinks That Aren’t Water
Many of you however might like drinking to keep you hydrated but water just bores you sometimes. I get it, sometimes adding fruit to your water just doesn’t help. In that case, here are some other drinks that will do the trick.
Fat free or skim milk
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So we already know from our doctors that milk is a great source of calcium. However, milk is also better than water and sports drinks for rehydration and recovery after your workout, especially chocolate milk.
Smoothies
Photo by Rachel Piorko
Okay, so maybe you want to incorporate all those hydrating fruits into one. Try drinking your hydrating fruits and veggies in a smoothie, it’s definitely refreshing and will keep you fuller longer than water. Smoothies are a great summer snack to keep you hydrated and you can mix and match your fruits and veggies.
Coconut Water
Photo by Ashton Caudle
This is a great drink, because it’s low in carbohydrates but yet still rich in potassium. It is great at rehydrating after light exercises. However, it’s not the best option after an intense workout because it is not high in salt and cannot replenish the sodium you lose. Next time you want to try coconut water, make sure you choose the right brand for you.
Next time you are feeling dehydrated and water just isn’t cutting it, try one of these snacks or other drinks to replenish your hydration, as they are just as beneficial in keeping you hydrated as water can be. Mix it up, and you’ll realize water isn’t as boring when it isn’t your only source of hydration.