There are a lot of things you’re supposed to do to take care of your body. From countless diet fads that will supposedly give you the perfect figure, to all different kinds of potions and powders that promise to save your skin, there’s a lot that you’re supposed to track and maintain. Every individual is different and so everyone needs to figure out their own unique routine. But, there is one healthy tip that applies to everybody no matter who they are, and that’s the advice to drink water.
Experts say that you should drink at least eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day. But let’s be real, who has the time for all that? It can be tedious to count each and every glass of water you drink every day. Plus, water is pretty boring to drink. Sure, you can jazz it up with flavors, but it’s still much more fun to eat your daily serving of water than it is to drink it. There are plenty of foods that contain a very high percentage of water, so they make it easy to get your daily hydration while enjoying some tasty flavors too.
Here are 30 hydrating foods that taste great and will definitely quench your thirst.
1. Watermelon
I mean, it’s right there in the name. In fact, the colorful summer treat is 92% water. So when you take a bite of watermelon, you’re basically having some edible water… only it’s way sweeter than a boring glass of water would be. Just make sure to spit out the seeds as you chow down.
2. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are filled with a whole lot of water. But they also have the added benefit of being packed with nutrients while also being low in calories. It makes them the perfect snack food because you can eat as much as you want without filling up too much between meals.
3. Strawberries
This delicious fruit is filled with 92% water, so it’s a perfect way to stay hydrated while also giving your body antioxidants. With strawberries, it’s worth it to buy organic, at least according to a study from Washington State University. Organic strawberries are proven to be more nutritious and delicious than ones that are traditionally farmed.
4. Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is usually not the most popular fruit in your typical fruit salad, but it’s definitely worth your attention. It’s filled with a bunch of water and holds a lot of vitamins C and A. It also tops the list of fruits that contain beta carotene, making it ideal for fighting off free radicals in your body.
5. Peaches
Peaches are super-hydrating thanks to their 89% water content. Plus, they’re easy to add to all different kinds of food, from desserts like pies to snacks like cottage cheese. Peaches make a particularly delicious summer treat since that’s when they’re in season, and they’re really juicy when they’ve been picked fresh.
6. Oranges
Each orange has about half a cup of water in it, which makes sense since this fruit is pretty well-known for its juice. Oranges are also rich in vitamin B6, which is really helpful in regulating blood sugar. So the next time you’re craving something sweet, an orange is the perfect, healthy choice.
7. Skim Milk
Milk is filled with water, in addition to all its calcium and vitamin D. In fact, some studies have shown that low-fat milk makes an excellent post-workout re-hydration drink. Next time you have a workout, instead of chugging water, you can drink some milk and quench your thirst while also feeding your body nutrients.
8. Broth
Bone broth is more than just a hot trend for Instagram influencers. It’s also a really healthy food that is mostly water (just with some delicious flavors added in) and it’s been proven to help with gut inflammation. You can also jazz up broth with additional ingredients to make it a heartier soup, but still get its hydrating benefits.
9. Lettuce
There’s a reason lettuce salads are so popular. Lettuce is a truly versatile food that can be incorporated into countless recipes thanks to its mild flavor. It makes the perfect base for protein or other veggies in a hearty salad, or you can make lettuce more of a main feature of the meal by making lettuce wraps. No matter what, you’ll be getting plenty of water.
10. Bell Peppers
Peppers are made of more than 90% water. But on top of that, they’re also an excellent source of fiber. Stuffed peppers are an excellent way to give the veggie a chance to shine as a main course, or you can just as easily add peppers to salads and stir-fry dishes.
11. Plain Yogurt
Just like milk, yogurt is mostly water. But while you’re getting all your hydration from yogurt, you can dress it up all different kinds of fun toppings, like fruit, nuts, or honey. It’s also an excellent source of protein, with 17% of your daily value of protein in just one serving.
12. Grapefruit
Juicy grapefruit is full of water… and it’s also full of vitamin C, with 120% of your daily value in half a grapefruit. Raw grapefruit makes for a classic breakfast, and it’s a classic for a reason. The tart citrus fruit is delicious and filling, so it’s the perfect start to your day.
13. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is pretty much everywhere these days because it’s easy to sneak into all in all kinds of food, from pizza crust to gnocchi. You can even finely chop cauliflower and turn it into a “rice.” Basically, cauliflower can be an ultra-hydrating replacement for your usual carbs, and it’s ready to make your diet healthier than ever.
14. Tomatoes
Each tomato is 94% water, which helps keep the calorie count down in them. There are also only 32 calories in a 1-cup serving. Whether tomatoes are fruit or vegetables might be up for debate, but no matter what it’s clear that they’re good for you. No wonder tomatoes are used in so many different recipes.
15. Celery
Celery juice is all the rage right now, but you can always just snack on a stalk raw too. Either way, you’ll be getting plenty of water. Celery is about 95% water, so you’re basically drinking a glass of water every time you take a crunchy bite out of one.
16. Zucchini
Zucchini is another really versatile vegetable since it can used in place of lots of starches. Zucchini is popular in pasta dishes, but it can even stand on its own as the main ingredient in hash browns or zucchini noodles. Plus, zucchini has also been proven to help with digestion.
17. Pineapple
If you’ve ever taken a bite right into a pineapple, then you know just how juicy they can be. That’s because of all the water stored in the spiky fruits. In addition to all their water, pineapples have lots of anti-inflammatory benefits that will keep your immune system working right.
18. Radishes
Radishes don’t get a lot of attention, but they probably should. The snappy little veggies can easily be added to a salad to give your meal an added boost of hydration, plus potassium and lots of other nutrients. Radish juice has also been proven to help strengthen the digestive tract.
19. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is kind of like yogurt’s less popular cousin. It might not be the most glamorous food, but it deserves to be a staple of everyone’s diet. Cottage cheese is even more versatile than yogurt since can be paired with both sweet and savory foods, and it’s jam-packed with water and protein.
20. Eggplant
Eggplant is known for being a great weight-loss food because of its high water and fiber content. It can be used as a base in savory recipes and it adds a unique texture to dishes. In fact, because of it’s dense texture, eggplant makes an excellent replacement for meat in a lot of recipes.
21. Pears
Not only are pears filled with water, but they also contain almost a quarter of your daily value of fiber. That means they’ll help you stay full longer, while also keeping you hydrated. Extra fiber also helps lower cholesterol and promote a healthy digestive tract, so pears make an excellent healthy snack.
22. Carrots
Carrots are known for being good for your eyes thanks to their high vitamin A content. But, they’re also full of other health benefits, like lots of water and antioxidants. Baby carrots make for an easy on-the-go snack, or if you’re feeling more indulgent you can bake them into a carrot cake.
23. Kiwi
Kiwi is like the epitome of “don’t judge a book by its cover.” These little fruits aren’t much to look at on the outside. But inside, they’re beautifully colorful and chock full of water. The also help promote healthy blood by helping to manage blood pressure and reduce blood clotting.
24. Grapes
A lot of attention goes to the fermented version of grapes (also known as wine,) but fresh grapes deserve a lot of love. In addition to being filled with water, they contain plenty of powerful antioxidants. Plus, there’s just something so luxurious about eating grapes picked straight off the vine.
25. Applesauce
Applesauce is usually known for being a tasty snack for little kids, but the truth is that applesauce can be a treat for anyone. It’s a fun way to add a little sweetness to a dish, plus it’s filled with water. You can use it as a side dish or just eat it plain.
26. Mangoes
Not only are mangoes a low-calorie snack filled with water, but they also have been proven to be beneficial in the regulation of blood sugar. Mangoes add a tropical flair to any meal, whether they’re included in smoothies or fruit salads. They’re also delicious when seasoned with a little spice.
27. Raspberries
Raspberries have more fiber than any of the other commonly consumed berries, at 8 grams per cup. They also are known to support healthy skin thanks to all their vitamin C and antioxidants. The make a great snack on their own or in smoothies, or they can be a sophisticated addition to chocolate desserts.
28. Blueberries
Blueberries are a known superfood thanks to their countless health benefits. They’re especially worth eating thanks to the fact that they help to maintain healthy brain function. Blueberries are in season during the summer, but they’re delicious all year round in pies, muffins, pancakes, or just as a plain snack.
29. Spinach
Popeye was really onto something when he kept singing about spinach. Spinach is another superfood because of the plethora of vitamins and minerals found within each hydrating leaf. Spinach is great raw or cooked on its own, or it can easily be snuck into other recipes like fruit smoothies since it blends in very well.
30. Gelatin
Did you think this whole list would be all fruits and veggies? Gelatin might not have very many nutrients, but it’s almost entirely water. That makes it a perfect food to help you get your daily hydration, while also providing a sweet, delicious treat. You can make the stuff that comes in a box, or you can try your hand at making gelatin from scratch.
