Stay Hydrated In The Texas Heat With These Super Foods
This summer Texas temperatures are soaring, and with the excessive heat it’s even more important to maintain a hydrated healthy body. Yes we all know that drinking plenty of water during the dog days of summer prevents dehydration, which causes fatigue, headaches, skin problems, muscle cramps and even low blood pressure and a rapid heart rate. Untreated dehydration can lead to serious complications like organ failure.
Experts recommend drinking several glasses of water a day to meet your body type’s hydration needs. Health authorities commonly recommend eight 8-ounce glasses, which equals about 2 liters, or half a gallon.
Water isn’t the only that that can help your body stay hydrated during the hot West Texas summer.
Here is a list of 12 water rich foods that help your body quench its thirst.
1- Strawberries: Strawberries have high water content, making them a very hydrating food. Because about 91% of strawberries’ weight comes from water, eating them will contribute to your daily water intake.
2- Watermelon: Watermelon is very healthy and one of the most hydrating foods you can eat. A 1-cup serving contains over a half cup of water, in addition to some fiber and several important nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin A and magnesium. It is also quite low in calories, providing only 46 calories per cup.
3- Oranges: Oranges are incredibly healthy and may provide a number of health benefits. There is almost a half-cup of water in one orange, along with fiber and several nutrients.
4- Peaches: Peaches are a very nutrient-dense and hydrating fruit. Close to 90% of their weight is water. They also provide several important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, B vitamins and potassium.
5- Cantaloupe: Cantaloupe is a melon that’s extremely nutritious and may boost your health in several ways. One cup of cantaloupe is composed of about 90% water and delivers more than a half cup of water per serving.
6- Cucumber: Cucumbers are another healthy and hydrating food to include in your diet. They are made up almost entirely of water and also provide a small amount of some nutrients, such as vitamin K, potassium and magnesium.
7 Cauliflower: Cauliflower is an excellent vegetable to include in your diet, since it is very nutritious and hydrating. One cup of cauliflower provides more than one-fourth cup of water, as well as 3 grams of appetite-reducing fiber.
8 Lettuce: Lettuce has several health-promoting properties. One cup of lettuce provides more than a quarter cup of water, in addition to 1 gram of fiber. It also provides 5% of your daily needs for folate. Folate is important for pregnant women, as it can help prevent neural tube birth defects.
9 Zucchini: Zucchini is a nutritious vegetable that may provide several health benefits. A 1-cup serving of chopped zucchini contains more than 90% water and provides 1 gram of fiber. Both these components are great for keeping you full.
11 Celery: Celery is a very healthy and hydrating food to include in your diet. It’s made mostly of water, providing close to a half cup of it in a 1-cup serving. This contributes to its low calorie content of just 16 calories per cup.
12 Tomatoes: Tomatoes have an impressive nutrition profile and may provide many health benefits. One medium tomato alone provides about a half cup of water. It also provides a significant amount of vitamins and minerals, including immune-boosting vitamins A and C.
The Bottom Line:
Staying hydrated is extremely important for your overall health. As long as you’re eating plenty of water-rich foods and drinking water when you feel thirsty, you won’t have a problem staying hydrated.