Water can come in more than just a glass. It can come on a plate, too!
We’ve all heard it before: eight glasses a day! For those of us who can’t seem to drink enough water, eating foods with a high-water content is a great option. These ways to eat your water will help you meet daily recommendations by putting water on your plate, instead of just in your glass.
The Importance of Hydration
Why is it so important to stay hydrated? Everything in your body relies on hydration to function properly. Water is responsible for:
- Moving oxygen and nutrients through the blood to your cells
- Lowering stress on the heart
- Preventing muscle cramping
- Lubricating joints
- Helping to keep skin cells plump and young-looking
- Diminishing and preventing the formation of cellulite
- Flushing toxins from the body
- Keeping your digestive system regular
- Helping to prevent kidney stones
Eating for hydration will help you meet your daily water intake-needs. The following foods give you 21 ways to eat your water! It’s important to note that these ingredients must be eaten raw, as cooking will diminish water content.
1. Cucumber: 96% water
Our Classic Cucumber and Tomato Salad is full of hydrating produce.
2. Iceberg lettuce: 96% water
Use as a base for any salad or as cups for our Asian Chicken and Veggie Lettuce Wraps.
3. Celery: 95% water
Dip celery into our Skinny Ranch Dip for a tasty snack.
4. Radish: 95% water
Add to any salad for color, crunch, and more water!
Try radishes in our salads, like in our Citrus and Spinach Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing.
5. Red tomato: 94% water
Take a look at our Caprese Quinoa Salad.
6. Zucchini: 95% water
Stay hydrated with our delicious Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Pine Nuts and Parmesan Shavings.
7. Grapes: 92% water
Energize with this Banana Grape Smoothie for a snack or breakfast.
8. Sweet Peppers: 92% water
Check out our Rainbow Salad with Honey-Lemon Dressing recipe, which is full of raw peppers and cucumber!
9. Green cabbage: 93% water
Our Creamy Cabbage and Bok Choy Slaw is a great recipe.
Related: Stay Cool This Summer with Flavored Waters
10. Cauliflower: 92% water
Readers rave about this Coconut Curry Cauliflower dish.
11. Spinach: 92% water
Our Citrus and Spinach Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing is packed with hydrating ingredients, including oranges, grapefruit, and spinach.
12. Strawberries: 92% water
Check out our Strawberry and Avocado Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing.
13. Watermelon: 92% water
Try our Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad for a very refreshing side dish.
14. Grapefruit: 91% water
Use any grapefruit variety in this simple Grapefruit and Avocado Salad.
15. Cantaloupe: 90% water
Cool down with this lightly sweet Cantaloupe Granita.
16. Peach: 88% water
These Pan Seared Peaches with Cinnamon and Greek Yogurt make a yummy dessert.
17. Pineapple: 87% water
Enjoy this tropical fruit in our Pineapple Breeze Smoothie.
18. Raspberries: 87% water
Try making this refreshing Raspberry-Peach Sorbet.
19. Cranberries: 87% water
Try using cranberry juice in these Slow Cooker Cranberry Poached Pears.
Related: Flush Away the Fat with These Five Delicious Drinks
20. Orange: 87% water
Make your own homemade Orange Vinaigrette with Fresh Dill instead of buying processed dressings.
21. Apricot: 86% water
Slow Cooker Chickpea Stew with Apricots is so yummy when you’re in the mood for something different.
Sources:
WebMD
University of Kentucky
Now that you’re nice and hydrated, time to work out! Our Facebook and Pinterest are full of exercise tips and ideas. You can also purchase our Total Body Transformation eBook for a structured program.
