Water-rich foods that help with hydration

December 20, 2021

Simple Foods That Help With Hydration

Dehydration is a health risk, especially in the heat of the Australian summer. You can avoid dehydration by ensuring that you're getting enough liquids from your drinks and food. You don't need expensive or fancy electrolyte replacement drinks or shakes to stay hydrated.

Top water-rich foods to keep you hydrated

As well as having health benefits keeping hydrated is very important for the skin as well as your overall wellbeing. You can get water easily from food, and this can help the body hydrate in many interesting ways. The list below includes some of the most high hydrating foods that can help you integrate fluid hydration into daily life.

Experts generally recommend drinking several glasses of water per day to meet your hydration needs. But while drinking water is very important, you can also get your water intake from foods. You know you need eight glasses of water a day, but sometimes it's easier to eat your water instead of drinking it with these foods.

1. Cucumber.

This popular vegetable is about 96 per cent water that's the highest water content of any food and can help you stay hydrated. They're also low in calories, and a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Cucumbers are made up almost entirely of water and also provide a small number of nutrients. They contain an anti-inflammatory substance, fisetin, which promotes brain health.

You can snack on cucumber slices throughout the day. Dips such as hummus can make eating this vegetable more fun.

Cucumber soup is another option that tastes great and provides plenty of fluid.

2. Celery.

The water content of celery is an estimated 95 per cent. Celery is a very healthy and hydrating food to include in your diet. Like other water-rich vegetables, celery may be a beneficial weight loss food due to its high water content.

You can add celery sticks as a healthy snack for a quick hydration tip, or incorporate celery into your meals.

Although celery has very few calories, it provides water and important nutrients like vitamins A and K.

3. Iceberg lettuce.

This lettuce may have a bad reputation for not having enough nutritional value, but its water content is 95 per cent.

Iceberg lettuce is a popular addition to summer salads, but this isn't the only way to enjoy it. You can use it as a wrap instead of bread or tortillas. You can also eat this lettuce by chopping it up and adding it to cooked dishes like stews.

4. Tomatoes.

Tomatoes are about 94 per cent water. All varieties of tomatoes, including grape and cherry, will add to your hydration.

Tomatoes are also a good source of Vitamin A, which is important for keeping your skin, eyes and immune system healthy. 

The smaller varieties of tomatoes can be eaten on their own as a quick snack. The larger varieties can be sliced for salads or sandwiches. You can also make tomato soup that is chilled instead of hot.

5. Watermelon.

Vegetables aren't the only foods that can keep you hydrated. Fruit like watermelon is also an easy way to get your water.

Watermelon is a healthy fruit that is, as the name suggests, mostly made up of water! Because it has high water content, they are very low in calories but surprisingly high in nutritional content. 

Watermelon's water content is around 91 per cent. Enjoy fresh watermelon or add it to a fruit salad. You can also blend it to make a unique smoothie.

6. Broccoli.

At 90 per cent water content, broccoli is another one of those amazing water-rich vegetables that can keep you hydrated and provide fibre and important nutrients as well.

7. Star fruit.

If you want to try something more exotic with a high water content, then consider star fruit. Starfruit is the number one most hydrating fruit on the planet, with more than 91 per cent of its body consisting of water. Star fruit is a delicious way to make your fruit salad more fun.

Besides being hydrating, star fruit is a good source of fiber and vitamin C.

8. Strawberries.

Strawberries are about 91 per cent water so eating them will contribute to your daily water intake. 

This popular summer fruit can be added to salads or enjoyed on its own as a hydrating snack. You can also make smoothies or shakes.

9. Baby carrots.

Baby carrots have more water than regular carrots, at approximately 90 per cent water. They're easy to pack and carry, so you can remain hydrated throughout the day.

Baby carrots and dips seem to naturally go together. You may want to try dips like ranch or guacamole with them. You can also try caramel or chocolate dips for a delicious treat.

10. Plain Yogurt

A 1-cup serving of plain yogurt is made up of about 88 per cent water, adding hydration to its already long list of nutritional benefits. Not to mention, it's a great source of protein and gut-healthy probiotics. Plain yogurt contains lots of water and nutrients that may boost several aspects of your health.

Proper hydration can be done with simple steps like eating more water-rich foods that naturally hydrate you.

It's beneficial to incorporate hydrating foods into your diet. There are many healthy foods that can contribute a large amount of water to your diet. These hydrating food can make staying hydrated on a hot, Australian summer day an easy process.

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