Friday, July 31, 2009

Feature Friday - Water vs. Water-Rich Foods







The dog days of summer have been with us a while and they aren't showing any signs of slowing down. I bet you can't even count the number of times you have been told, "You need to drink more water. Especially during the summer."



There are times I think to myself, "If I drink one more glass of water I am going to float away."



Unfortunately, you can't compromise proper hydration and drinking an adequate amount of water is part of that. However, there are other options that will leave you feeling satisfied and a bit more hydrated.



Often times, we feel like we need a little extra hydration after a tough workout. Naturally, we assume we need to drink more water. However, research shows that water-rich vegetables may hydrate your body more than a glass of water.



Our faithful clear liquid is refreshing and free of calories which will always make it a healthy and necessary option. However, water-rich fruits and produce provide nutrients like amino acids, mineral salts and vitamins in addition to hydration.



During an exhausting training session, or extremely hot day, you lose electrolytes which need to be replenished. Brilliant marketing efforts on behalf of various sports drinks will have you believe they are the only viable options. I am here to tell you that you can get the same benefits from water-rich fruits and produce, without the added sugar and flavorings from sports drinks.



What are some great water-rich foods:



Watermelon - The appropriately named fruit is rich in vitamin C, beta carotene and lycopene...and contains nearly 92 percent water.



Cucumber - Cucumbers deliver a high water content as well as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium.



Celery - Crunchy celery is actually 96 percent water. It also provides sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and zinc.



Now, these food options will help aide in the hydration process but it is still important to consume an adequate amount of water each day.

1 comment:

  1. Good to know, thanks! I've been drinking a ton of water and still don't feel hydrated!

    ReplyDelete