Best Foods For Hydration

Not a fan of continually drinking water and tea? The good news is that many foods promote hydration and can be used to supplement your water intake. While you still have to drink water, with these foods you can drink less and hydrate more! Here are some of the best foods for hydration.

Watermelon
According to a recent study conducted by the University of Aberdeen Medical School, certain foods are more hydrating than water. Not surprisingly, watermelon was rated as the best of these foods. With a water content of 92% as well as a diverse electrolyte profile, there has never been a better reason to add this summertime fruit to your grocery list.

Cucumber
This vegetable is primarily composed of water and also contains vitamin C and inflammation fighting acids. Add cucumber to a salad, eat it raw as a snack, or toss chopped cucumbers in olive oil with salt and pepper for a crunchy side dish.

Tomatoes
You can reap the benefits of tomatoes in nearly any form – raw, cooked, soup, or even tomato sauce. The tomato is 90% water and also contains important vitamins, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B-12. Tomatoes are low calorie snacks and can be incorporated into any type of meal.

Soup
Soups with clear broths (as opposed to creamy) such as chicken noodle soup or minestrone are some of the best hydration sources. Loaded with electrolytes from added salt as well as additional vitamins and minerals from ingredients such as onion, garlic, carrots, and celery, a couple soup servings are equal to 8 – 16 ounces of water.

Applesauce
Not quite a solid food but not quite a drink, apple sauce is a fun (and delicious) way to improve your hydration. Portable applesauce cups are also an easy snack to pack for work, but be sure to avoid varieties that have added sweeteners.

Cantaloupe
This dense fruit is a water and nutritional powerhouse as it is composed of 90% water but also contains calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, and magnesium. Eat the cantaloupe raw or quickly char it on the grill for an interesting take on dessert.

Cooked Grains
Have you ever wondered why a soaked cell phone dries quickly in a bag of rice? Grains naturally soak up water as they cook and then deliver that water to our bodies as they are consumed. Slow cooking grains, such as rice and barley, require the most water for cooking and are also the most hydrating. Create a truly refreshing meal by making a tabouleh that contains tomatoes, celery, and cucumber.

Pickles
A perfect post-workout snack, pickles provide hydration from the cucumber as well as electrolytes provided from the brine. Eat pickles whole or use them as condiments on your favorite snacks (you may be surprised by the combinations you come up with!)

Grapes
This juicy fruit is perfect for snacking on while staying hydrated. Grapes contain an average of 81% water but also have important antioxidants such as reservatrol that adds extra benefits than a simple glass of water.

Let us know if you have anything to add to our best foods for hydration list and we will tell everyone on our MedalMinder Facebook page.