As everybody knows, water is an essential part of life. It’s an important factor in keeping your body hydrated, regulating body temperature, transporting oxygen, flushing out waste and bacteria, and so much more. You are supposed to drink eight glasses of water a day, but that can be awfully hard to commit to. Did you know, however, that you can get some of that water from fruits and vegetables? Certain fruits and vegetables can help you towards your water intake goals and provide your body with minerals, fiber, protein, and more.
A Well-suited Workout
Do you buy expensive power bars and workout supplements? Your might be surprised to learn that fruits and vegetables make for an excellent post-workout snack as they can replenish your body with amino acids, vitamins, and electrolytes. And water and fruit are much better at hydrating your body post-workout compared to sports drinks and energy drinks.
Hydration “SuperFruits”
Fruits like strawberries and watermelon contain 92 percent water per volume. Grapefruits, cantaloupe, peaches, pineapples, cranberries, oranges, and raspberries each hold at least 85 percent water per volume. Eat these as snacks throughout the day, or incorporate them into recipes like fruit salads, fruit kebabs, smoothies, fruit pizzas, and more!
Aquatic Veggies
Vegetables are another excellent source of hydration. Cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, radish, celery, and tomatoes each contain at least 95 percent water. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, peppers, and spinach are also excellent sources of hydration and nutrients. Swap them into your favorite recipes, and challenge yourself to use these vegetables creatively when cooking for optimal hydration and taste variety.
Aim to eat four servings of fruits and five servings of vegetables a day to get the most nutrients you can and in order to reduce your risk of diseases and cancer.
Eating fruits and vegetables high in water content is an excellent way to stay on top of your health and fitness goals, keep you full throughout the day, and to stay hydrated! For more resources on water and hydration, visit the MN American Water Works Association.
