Water is life. It is essential for our health and well-being and while it is important to drink water throughout the day, you can also stay hydrated with the foods you eat.
Choosing the right hydrating foods can also maximize your efforts by adding key vitamins and minerals to your daily diet.
During the warmer months, our bodies lose vital electrolytes through sweating. You can also lose electrolytes by vomiting, dehydration, and diarrhea. Certain medications and diseases also can cause an electrolyte imbalance.
What is the big deal about electrolytes anyway?
Electrolytes:
Maintain normal rate and rhythm of the heart
Maintain normal blood pressure
Help keep the PH (acid/alkaline) of your blood in a normal range.
Regulate the fluid levels in your blood plasma and your body.
Help blood clot.
Enable muscle contractions which include the beating of your heart
Transmit nerve signals from the heart, muscle, and nerve cells to other cells
5 top foods to help you stay healthy and hydrated:
- Watermelon: This summertime favorite fruit is made up mostly of water, is low in calories, and contains vitamin C, vitamin A, several B vitamins, zinc, copper, potassium, and many other minerals. It is also loaded with lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant.
- Spinach: Your mother and Popeye already told you to eat your spinach and for good reason. It is power- packed with iron, calcium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, fiber, and folate. It also helps support brain health and manage blood pressure.
- Cucumbers: cucumbers have a high water content (96.73%) and are high in potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and a small amount of calcium. They also contain Cucurbitacin which may help prevent cancer. They also have anti-inflammatory benefits and may help regulate blood sugar.
- Tomatoes: Tomatoes are another great source of lycopene as well as vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, and potassium. They are also rich in fiber and antioxidants.
- Broccoli: At almost 90% water, broccoli can help you stay hydrated. It is also high in fiber, Vitamin C, vitamin A, B6, and potassium. It is also high in phytochemicals which are excellent for the immune system and antioxidants which help fight free radicals.
Try incorporating these fruits and vegetables into your diet all year round and reap the nutritional and hydrating benefits that they offer. Keep them on your grocery list for when you visit the farmers market this summer or better yet, try growing them in your garden this summer.
Try drinking a glass of water (I love adding cucumber slices to mine) the next time you think you are hungry during the day. Our bodies respond to hunger and thirst the same way. If after drinking your glass of water and you still may feel hungry, try a little watermelon instead of reaching for a higher calorie snack.
I also carry around with me and have in all my cabinets a healthy hydration pack that I can add to water. They are awesome at replacing electrolytes, providing hydration, help with headaches, muscle cramps and fatigue.
Chill out!
Staying well hydrated also will help keep your stress levels down. When your hydration is down, your cortisol levels go up. Higher cortisol levels mean higher stress levels. Staying well hydrated will also help alleviate anxiety and depression.
Wishing you a healthy and happy summer,
