The recommended amount of water that you should drink in a day seems to change depending on the study. The most common is the 8×8 rule, which simply means you should drink eight ounces of water eight times a day. While different research causes this amount to fluctuate up and down based on body size, the bottom line is that drinking water all day long is necessary for your body to stay healthy and hydrated. And when your body is hydrated, your metabolism can work at it’s best.
The problem is all that water. Not only will you require a regular pee break, but you might also feel a little water logged after a while. Not taking in fluids is not an option; however, no one said you can only drink them.
There are lots of hydrating foods that can help to keep the thirst at bay and your body functioning properly. You’ll still need to keep chugging the H2O, but go ahead and cut back by about 20 percent when you fill up on fluid-filled foods.
Watermelon: OK, let’s start with the obvious. “Water” melon…really, you can’t get more straightforward than that. This fruit is hydration packed, and isn’t short on sweet refreshing flavor. Bowl up bite size pieces for easy snacking on-the-go. Or add it to other fruits for a nice side dish to your morning eggs.
Iceberg Lettuce: While iceberg lettuce doesn’t go far when it comes to nutrition, it goes a long way as being predominantly made of water. When making a salad, add in iceberg to other more nutrient-dense bases, such as spinach and romaine. Or swap out your bread and tortilla to use it as a sandwich wrap. Have some leftover stir-fry from dinner? Roll it in iceberg for snack-sized lettuce wraps.
Celery: Thirsty? Munch on celery sticks to get the water you need. Add chunks of celery to tuna or egg salad (and then roll it up in iceberg lettuce!). Chop it up to add a crunchy bite to salads and stir-frys. Or top it with hummus or sunflower butter for a yummy afternoon snack.
Cucumber: More than 96 percent water, cucumbers are great for hydration. Slice them up as on-their-own snacks. Or chop them to put into salads and on sandwiches. If you’re simply bored by the lack of taste in the water you drink, add cucumbers to your pitcher for a more refreshing flavor.
Broccoli and Cauliflower: Both of these cruciferous veggies each offer more than 90 percent water. Chop up florets for easy snacking with a Greek yogurt ranch dip or a sun-dried tomato hummus. Or mix them into your salads for a satisfying crunch.
Green Peppers: Bell peppers all have high water content, but green peppers take the prize. Like just about everything on the list, these are perfect snacks on their own or with a dip, as well as great in salads. Start your day off right by adding green peppers to your eggs for a more hydrating omelette.
See? You don’t have to rely just on your tap to stay hydrated. There are lots of foods in your produce section that can help you stay thirst-free.
How much water do you drink each day? Share with us in the comments!
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Carrie Anton is a freelance writer focusing on health, fitness, and sports. She's been published in Self, Women's Health, Oxygen, and Maximum Fitness.
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