The 7 Best Hydrating Foods For Summer

Hydration is important during all times of the year, but with hotter weather comes an increased need for making sure we are staying on top of our water intake. It’s much easier to become dehydrated when we are spending more time outside on the hot and humid days as we lose water through sweat. Dehydration can set in quickly, and by the time our thirst mechanism kicks in, we may already be starting to dehydrate.

The good news is that there are plenty of ways to stay on top of your hydration this summer, and adding some hydrating-rich foods to your diet will not only help increase how much water you are taking it each day, but these foods are super healthy.

So, next time you are at the grocery store, stock up on these seven hydrating foods perfect for the hot summer weather!

7 Hydrating Foods For Summer

#1 Cucumber: Cucumbers are perfect for summer and can be added to salads for an added crunch, or snacked on with some hummus. You can also try making a hydrating cucumber juice with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a drizzle of raw honey. It’s super refreshing and the ideal way to keep your body hydrated when you need something a little more flavorful than water.

#2 Celery: Celery is another super hydrating food. Celery is also easy to add to the diet and makes a delicious snack when paired with hummus or even nut butter. If you are into juicing, adding a few celery stalks to your juice is a great way to up the water content. Not only that, but celery juice is all the rage right now and people are raving about the health benefits of drinking celery juice each day.

#3 Watermelon: We can’t forget about the all-time favorite summertime fruit. Not only is watermelon a delicious hydrating food, but if you have kids, it’s a great way to help support their hydration when spending time outside this summer. If you or your kids have a hard time drinking plain old water each day, try making watermelon ice cubes by blending up watermelon and freezing it in ice cube trays. Add the watermelon ice cubes to your water bottle for a refreshing treat and a tasty way to stay hydrated.

#4 Bell Peppers: Rich in water and tons of vitamin C, bell peppers are the ideal summertime veggie. You can enjoy them as a snack with hummus, grill them and add them to your BBQ kabobs, or the newest low-carb craze is to use bell pepper halves as “bread.” There are plenty of ways to get bell peppers into your diet this summer to help give your body a little hydration boost while also adding in a punch of vitamin C.

#5 Cantaloupe: Here’s another super yummy fruit that’s great for hydration. Cantaloupe makes a great addition to a fruit salad or can be enjoyed with a bowl of full-fat unsweetened yogurt, or enjoyed with a bowl of oatmeal. This sweet fruit also makes a great guilt-free dessert when enjoyed with some homemade coconut milk whipped cream.

#6 Strawberries: One of the most popular fruit, strawberries are another yummy hydrating treat to keep in stock this summer. The great thing about strawberries is that they can be enjoyed by themselves, mixed in a fruit salad, enjoyed with toast and nut butter, or blended into a smoothie and still taste delicious! And, since strawberries tend to be on the pricier side, try stocking up when they are on sale and keep them in the freezer when you are ready to blend up a berry smoothie.

#7 Tomatoes: Tomatoes are a go-to summer vegetable, and they also contain quite a bit of water. You can try adding tomatoes to salads or try adding a slice to your veggie or turkey burger. Try finding creative ways to enjoy more tomatoes this summer to help keep your hydration levels up while also adding in a nice dose of vitamin C.

Here’s to Staying Hydrated This Summer!

While we often think about beverages when it comes to staying hydrated, there are also plenty of foods that can help support hydration. Try adding these summer seasonal foods into your diet and enjoy them throughout the rest of the summer! They all make for a tasty and refreshing treat on the hot summer days.

Need some additional tips to stay hydrated this summer? Here are some ways to up your water intake.

Buy a reusable water bottle and carry it around wherever you go to remind yourself to stay hydrated throughout the day.
Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to add flavor to your water.
Sip on unsweetened coconut water to help support hydration and also boost electrolytes!
Eat lots of salads with plenty of hydrating foods.
Make a homemade lemonade using filtered water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a drizzle of raw honey for a tasty treat.
Cut back on caffeine, and enjoy a homemade decaf iced tea instead.
Sip on unsweetened plain seltzer water every now and then if you need something fizzy.
Steer clear of alcohol as alcohol acts as a diuretic and can quickly lead to dehydration.

About The Author

Rebecca Jacobs N.C is a Certified Holistic Nutrition Consultant, specializing in digestive and women’s health. She doesn’t believe in dieting but rather making lifestyle changes, and believes that healthy eating must be delicious. Rebecca is also a recipe developer and creates healthier alternatives to traditionally unhealthy foods.