Let’s be real here, no one gets their recommended daily water intake which is about 11 cups for women and 15 for men per day; especially with all the things we do to dehydrate ourselves on a regular basis. Most of us aren’t even sure how to figure out our recommended amount of daily water intake because it has been said over and over that eight glasses is no longer the recommended amount. Here are some ways to stay hydrated without gulping water back all day:
- Watermelon
This fruit is made up of a whooping 92% water! It’s the perfect treat for the summertime heat and it also provides you with potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. Even though it’s winter, don’t miss out on this water packed hydrating fruit.
- Lettuce
Iceberg lettuce is a little less than 96% water, but that’s about it. Though it is high in water, it really has no other nutritional value! Even though it’s hydrating you still might want to mix it with some other greens to get more nutrients.
- Cucumbers
Cucumbers consist of 96% water, making them number one in water percentage for fruits and veggies. They are also highly composed of vitamin K, vitamin B6 and iron.
- Celery
Composed of 95% water, these green stalks also contain high fiber and minerals in them. They aren’t calorie dense which is also a plus. You even burn more calories chewing them than you gain by eating them.
- Strawberries
Like most berries, strawberries are packed with 92% water. Along with watermelon they are ideal for a summer snack, but we shouldn’t forget about them in the cold winter months because they can be a huge help in keeping your hydration on course. You could dip them in dark chocolate for yourself with a side of wine or surprise your S/O with them for a date night!
- Smoothies
You can jam pack whatever fruits and veggies into a smoothie and it only takes minutes to get all the nutrients and water percentage into your body. They also taste good, which is an added bonus!
- Green Peppers
All peppers have high water content, but green peppers have the top seat with 93.9%. Green peppers contain high antioxidants and are a great way to spice up the classic celery and carrot snack.
- Cauliflower
Cauliflower contains 92.1% water, and is also packed with vitamins and phytonutrients that have been known to help lower cholesterol and fight cancer. You can also do a ton with cauliflower so start looking up some recipes to add cauliflower to your daily diet!
- Spinach
Even though it has less water content than iceberg lettuce at 91.4%, it has more vitamin E and important antioxidants. Add it as a sandwich topping or eat it in a salad – also it is surprisingly good blended in a smoothie with strawberries and bananas.
- Sport drinks
Electrolytes help regulate the amount of water in the body and when we sweat we lose them. Hour workouts are said to not need electrolyte replenishment, but for longer ones such as marathons or intense works outs they could help replenish hydration and electrolytes.
Nothing is better for hydration than water, but there are other creative ways to get the amount we need to stay hydrated by the food we eat. There is about 20% of our daily water intake in food. Keep on drinking and keep on eating your fruits and veggies!
Featured image via Daria Shevtsova on Pexels
