Waterlogged! Stay Hydrated Without Drinking Water

Waterlogged! Stay Hydrated Without Drinking Water

We’ve heard it all before: The human body is made up of blah blah blah percent water; H₂0 is so very important and we need 8-10 glasses per day to stay healthy and hydrated!

Anyone ever attempting this feat of strength knows how frustrating it can be to take in that amount of water. Add to the fact that many people don’t even like water; tally up the bathroom trips, the reminder alarms (oh yes, friends… there’s an app for that), and the 4-lb. weight of the vessel large enough to contain the amount of water needed for the day and it can start to feel like a second job just drinking enough water to reach the quota.

Well…

We have been hoodwinked! Bamboozled! Led astray!

While science maintains human need of water for hydration, the amount differs for everyone, varying according to age, sex, health status, body size, physical activity and more. Additionally, we get a nice portion of that water from the FOODS WE EAT! I’ve come to understand, through cursory research, the real purpose of drinking water as supplementary to the water we get from our food. Essentially, if you’re not getting enough hydration from the food you’re eating, your body will signal you to drink water via thirst. If you’re not thirsty, chances are, you already have enough water in your system. But for those that don’t, here are a few ways to stay hydrated that won’t have you running back and forth to the bathroom.

Fruits & Vegetables

This one should come as no surprise. There are quite a few fruits and veggies that are almost completely comprised of water. Upwards of 95% water is found in cucumbers, celery, iceberg lettuce, and watermelon and the benefits to eating fruits and vegetables instead of drinking insane amounts of water are the extra nutrients you get from them. The bonus of specific nutrients in some fruits and vegetables make it so consuming them offers more hydration than just a glass of water would.

Lean Meats

Yep! Meat contributes to your water intake. Leaner meats have a higher percentage of water. Do they taste as good as the full fat meats? Well… maybe not, but that’s nothing a little curry can’t fix.

Yogurt

Yogurt is 88% water and it contains electrolytes and potassium, vital nutrients for hydration.

Other Beverages

For those who do not like water, good news! Any beverage can satisfy your body’s need for hydration! So, drink what you like! Be aware, however, that many beverages are high in sugar and although you may be hydrating, you’re also adding way more sugar than is healthy to your diet. So be careful with that.

As the weather in Nashville starts to heat up, staying hydrated is becoming more important. How refreshing is it that you no longer have to lug around a gallon of water to keep your cool!?

Written 5-2-2017 by Del-Amina for Live Laugh Love Nashville - Wellness Wednesday Feature.