Daily Dish the Fork Lift blog
Hydrating Produce
Health Notes by Dr. Liz
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Summertime calls for cooling off and hydrating! Eating a healthy dose of fruits and veggies is an easy and delicious way to boost hydration during the summer months. Fresh fruit and veggies can supply about one fifth of your daily fluid needs. Some fruits and veggies are particularly hydrating given their high water content and rich supply of potassium, which plays a big role in body fluid balance.
Summertime calls for cooling off and hydrating! Be sure to hydrate early and drink when you’re thirsty, especially when the heat is on. Since hydration needs may increase by 50% during the summer months, it’s recommended you drink 10-12 servings of fluids daily. In addition to fluids, your body needs an array of antioxidants for good health and recovery post-exercise.
Don’t start doubting your ability to drink the recommended 10-12 servings of fluids just yet. Eating a healthy dose of fruits and veggies is an easy and delicious way to boost hydration during the summer months! Fresh fruit and veggies can supply about one fifth of your daily fluid needs. Some fruits and veggies are particularly hydrating given their high water content and rich supply of potassium, which plays a big role in body fluid balance.
Here are a few “watery” produce picks that will help keep you hydrated:
Cucumbers: This vegetable is more than 90% water and has only 10 calories per cup sliced. Make sure to keep the skin on as it’s rich in fiber and other healthy compounds that help fight high blood pressure.
Watermelon: Just like the name implies, this melon is loaded with hydrating water (more than 90%), and is a good dose of potassium and vitamin C.
Apricots, Peaches, Nectarines and Pluots: These stone fruits pack in a wealth of nutrients such as carotenoids for healthy skin along with potassium and water for hydration.
Summer Squashes: Yellow crookneck, zucchini and eight-ball are summer time vegetable favorites that cook well on the grill and in a stir-fry. These squashes are rich in water along with both potassium and vitamin C that help improve heart health.
Tomatoes: A star hydrator, tomatoes pack in more than 85% water along with lycopene—a carotenoid known to ward off cancer. Tomatoes' versatile nature makes them a great addition to cold soups and tasty drinks designed to keep you hydrated.
