Water, Water, Everywhere
Getting your daily dose of H2O can be helped by eating these
hydrating foods
- By Kelly Kramer
WE ALL KNOW THAT WATER plays a key role in maintaining healthy
bodies, both on the inside and the outside. In fact, the wet stuff
constitutes 65 to 75 percent of muscle and makes up about 50
percent of our total weight. But sometimes, drinking water can
become, well, boring. Luckily, there are a variety of water-rich
foods to complement your 64 ounces per day.
"An easy way to figure out which fruits and
vegetables have more water is to look at the ones that are low in
carbohydrates or low on the glycemic index," says
Mikell Parsons, DC, a spokeswoman for the National Association of
Nutrition Professionals. "If something is juicy, it's a
good sign that it's water- rich."
Some water-rich foods include:
- Squash
- Cucumbers
- Berries
- Watermelon
- Apples
- Radishes
- Tomatoes
Starchier foods, like potatoes, lack significant water content.
Although these foods may sound appealing during winter, it's just
as important to consider the water value of food when the weather
is cold. Especially if you live in a dry climate, you're just as
likely to become dehydrated in winter as you are in summer.
"During the colder months, we spend more time
indoors," says Parsons. "Often, we're in
places that have dry heat, and that, in turn, dries us out. We
still have to have water every day, but the amount may
vary."
If you're active, you can easily become dehydrated, no matter
the season. "If you're participating in activities that
make you sweat, you still need to maintain water,"
says Parsons. If water seems dull, try a small glass of low-fat
chocolate milk in addition. Its protein, carbs, salt and
antioxidants can help with workout recovery. Plus, it's a sweet
reward.