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How to Choose Foods to Keep You Hydrated

4/28/2014

Although drinking water is the best way to remain hydrated, you can re-hydrate your body by eating certain foods too. While some of these foods are offered only seasonally, you should be able to find a wide variety amongst the list.


EditSteps



  1. Consume cucumbers for the highest water content. Cucumbers contain approximately 96.7% water and are readily available during the summer months. Partner this veggie with yogurt or in a soup for a fresh variety.





  2. Hydrate your body with an iceberg lettuce salad. Iceberg is 95.6% water so partner you salad with higher nutrient packed lettuces such as spinach or kale for the “perfect” lunch.





  3. Get both water and nutrition with a stick of celery. Celery has 95.4% water but also vitamins A,C and K. Not to mention one stick of celery has only six calories--anyone can have their celery and enjoy it too.





  4. Tantalize your taste buds with radishes. Radishes have a 95.3% water content and can spice up any dish or salad thanks to their half sweet, have spicy flavor.





  5. Enjoy a hydrating snack like a tomato any time of year. Instead of reaching for a potato chip, try a grape tomato. Partner it with some cheese and basil, perhaps a cracker and you have the perfect afternoon delight. Tomatoes have 94.5% water so they are a great rehydrator.





  6. Load up on antioxidants and water with a green bell pepper. Although red and yellow peppers contain water and are high in nutrients, green bell peppers have the most at 93.9% water content.





  7. Fight chronic illness like cancer with cauliflower. In addition to having a 92.1% water content, cauliflower has phyto-nutrients, considered to lower cholesterol and fight cancer.





  8. Stave off hunger with lycopene infused watermelon. Watermelon is known to be heavy on the water content (91.5%) but is also packed with lycopene, which helps you feel full for a longer amount of time and also is considered to be a cancer-fighting antioxidant.





  9. Increase your fiber by eating water happy spinach. Spinach is 91.4% water but also is known to have some of the most important antioxidants available. Each one cup raw and you’ve covered 15% of your daily vitamin E intake.





  10. Protect your heart by eating star fruit. In addition to having a 91.4% water content, star fruit contains epicatechin, also found in red wine, chocolate and green tea.





  11. Eat your berries to re-hydrate. Strawberries have 91.0% and blueberries and raspberries contain 85%. Create a fruit salad and you have a great post-workout recovery snack.





  12. Load up on vitamins with broccoli. Broccoli has fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, as well as sulforaphane--known to boost the body’s protective enzymes and fight cancer.





  13. Eat grapefruit to give your diet that extra nudge, while flushing your system with water. Grapefruit has a 90.5% water content but is also known to lower bad (LDL) cholesterol by 15.5% and triglycerides by 27%. Grapefruit also stabilizes blood sugar, which curbs cravings.





  14. Choose carrots for snacking instead of salty chips. Carrots are loaded with water (90.4%), plus are great for dipping into dressing or hummus.





  15. Pass over the cake and cookies for dessert and go for some cantaloupe. Cantaloupe has 90.2% water and at only 50 calories, diners can get up to 100% of their daily vitamin A intake.





EditTips



  • Because star fruit has high levels of oxalic acid, people with kidney problems should avoid it.

  • Drink 8 or more glasses of water each day (more if you are in a heated area or are working out to replenish fluids).

  • Freeze fresh fruit for an easy, on-the-go snack.


EditSources and Citations


http://ift.tt/1nWiiwV - Research source.






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