Sports Drinks Are a Rip-Off: Here’s How to Stay Hydrated with Real Food

We all know the importance of staying hydrated, especially in the summer, but chugging plain water all day can get pretty boring and specialty sports drinks or the newly popular electrolyte packets aren't the most cost effective option over time. What if the answer to your thirst could be found in the food you eat? Surprisingly, some foods can hydrate just as well, if not better, than your trusty water bottle. Here are some options that can keep you feeling refreshed and hydrated just by enjoying some of your favorite summer-time meals.

Two people drinking out of water bottles.Photo byPhoto credit: Depositphotos.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are juicy and about 95% water, making them perfect for hydrating. Add them to salads, sandwiches or enjoy them sliced for a quick, hydrating snack.
Making an easy tomato soup or your favorite gazpacho is a great way to get a large serving of them in.

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce is not just for salads; its high water content makes it a hydrating base for many dishes. It’s light, crispy and can even be grilled for something different.

Oranges

Oranges are not only about 87% water, but they’re also packed with vitamin C. They’re a refreshing snack, juice source or salad ingredient for hydration with a zesty twist. Who remembers orange slices on the soccer field as a kid?

Cucumber

Cucumbers top the hydration list with about 95% water content. They’re perfect in salads, sandwiches or as a refreshing snack. Instead of salty tortilla chips, dip cucumber slices or sticks into things like hummus or guacamole. Cucumbers can also be made into a refreshing gazpacho recipe.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers, especially green ones, hold about 92% water. They’re great raw in salads or cooked in stir-fries and adding a hydrating crunch and a burst of flavor.
Bell pepper slices can be used the same way as cucumbers for snack dips.

Strawberries

Strawberries are hydrating fruits with about 91% water content. Enjoy them fresh, in smoothies or desserts for a sweet, hydrating treat that’s also rich in vitamins. Nothing compares to a sweet summer strawberry and if it can help you hit your hydration goals, even better!

Coconut water.Photo byPhoto credit: Shutterstock.

Zucchini

Zucchini, with about 95% water content, is perfect for hydrating meals. Use it in stir-fries, salads or bake it for a nutrient-rich dish. Zucchini has very little taste and is perfect hidden in baked treats for kids or even blended into smoothies when frozen.

Watermelon

Watermelon is synonymous with hydration, boasting about 92% water. It’s perfect for a hot day’s snack or as part of a fruit salad and offers a sweet way to get your hydration on without it feeling like a chore.

Cabbage

Cabbage, at about 92% water, is a hydrating vegetable that’s versatile in dishes like salads, stir-fries and soups. It adds hydration while being low in calories. Make homemade sauerkraut and enjoy the benefits of cabbage all summer long on your favorite grilled foods.

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is around 92% water, making it an unsuspecting source of hydration. Roast it, turn it into rice or use it in soups for a hydrating and nutritious addition to your meals.

Coconut Water

Coconut water is a natural hydrator, rich in electrolytes and low in calories. It’s a refreshing alternative to plain water and perfect for rehydration after workouts.
Many people are enjoying its benefits in adrenal cocktails lately to try and help balance out stress and fatigue.