Sick of Chugging Water? These 5 Foods Will Help You Stay Hydrated

While it’s true none of us can live without water, not everyone loves drinking glass after glass of the stuff all day. If you’re one of those folks, this hydrate-by-eating list of foods is for you!

Proper hydration is crucial for our organs to function properly, and yet, many people tend to be chronically dehydrated. This is often because people just forget (or just plain don’t like) to drink enough water.

That’s where these five hydrating foods can really come in handy. In fact, some can get the job done even better than those recommended “eight glasses of water per day,” because you’re not just getting a lot of water but other critical things like vitamins, fiber, and more!

Cucumbers

Due to their incredible nutritional value, cucumbers are one of the greatest vegetables in the world, but did you know they’re 96% water?

By eating them on the regular, not only do we hydrate our bodies, but we also absorb other vitamins, including C, B1, and K. Cucumbers are also full of minerals, like manganese, molybdenum, and potassium, and they distribute these more efficiently, thanks to the hydration boost.

They also contain silica, which is one of the main building blocks for healthy nails, skin, hair, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

Cucumbers make fantastic dips (like tzatziki) or “zoodles.” They also taste wonderful in cold soups! Due to their crunchy texture and mild flavor, they pair nicely with any protein, carb, or fat source.

However, the easiest way to work cukes into your diet is with a delicious salad, like this easy recipe. After you prep your ingredients, it’s just two steps to a delicious lunch of dinner!

Get the Recipe: Cookie + Kate

Watermelon

Cucumber’s distant relative, watermelon is incredibly nutrient-rich. It’s also almost all water (92%!), so no wonder it’s a crowd-favorite fruit on those hot summer days.

With all that hydrating power, watermelon can help lower your blood pressure, soothe sore muscles and aid in their recovery, as well as improve digestion. They’re also full of antioxidants, which fight free radicals and might even help prevent cancer. Talk about a superfood!

Watermelon tastes amazing on its own, but lately, it’s started appearing as a delicacy on a lot of fine-dining restaurant menus worldwide. Famous chefs have found ways to pair it with mint, jalapeños, and feta cheese. Some even throw it on the grill.

We particularly love it as a dessert. This Watermelon Sorbet recipe is perfect for summer. It doesn’t hurt that it’s healthy, too.

Get the Recipe: Leite’s Culinaria

Whichever way tickles your fancy the most, watermelon is a delicious and excellent way to meet your daily quota of H2O.

Strawberries

These gorgeous berries are almost 92% water and pack an incredible amount of vitamins and antioxidants in such a small volume. That’s why they’re one of the best ways for us to “eat our water” without the risk of getting bloated.

Strawberries boost our immune system, as they’re super high in vitamin C, and they also protect our cells from oxidative damage with antioxidants.

Although they’re delicious when consumed raw or with dollops of whipped cream, you can also turn strawberries into a homemade jam using the Instant Pot recipe below. You can also make your own strawberry ice cream, sorbet, or even a soup (we’re looking at you, strawberry gazpacho).

Get the Recipe: Tastes Better From Scratch

Peaches

These sweet, juicy summer fruits consist of 89% water and are packed with A and B vitamins and polyphenols. They also contain lots of fiber, which feeds our gut bacteria and improves our microbiome. Peach skin is full of antioxidants and should be enjoyed as much as that delicious inside, if not more.

Peaches are also a great liver cleanser, as they help flush out toxins and other harmful molecules. They can even rejuvenate your skin and prevent the deterioration of tissues.

Their uses in the kitchen are vast because, in addition to just eating them raw, you can also grill them or use them in sauces. You can cook them as compotes, blend them into smoothies, or freeze them into sorbet.

Serve them up as an entrée with this incredible Chili Lime Chicken with glazed peaches recipe.

Get the Recipe: Feasting at Home

Oranges

Although they can contain a bit more sugar than the rest of the hydrating foods on our list, oranges are still over 85% water, and a healthy source of vitamins C and B, and folate as well.

Due to their high fiber count, the glycemic index (GI) of oranges is actually fairly low, at around 31-50. This makes them an excellent aid for combating digestive issues and improving the gut microbiome without causing an insulin spike.

Probably the most popular way to consume oranges is via their juice, but they also make a great addition to summer salads, smoothie bowls, or homemade jams.

We particularly love this unique recipe for Orange and Avocado Salsa. Once you dip your chips in this, you’ll never go back to that runny store-bought stuff.

Get the Recipe: Thyme and Love