Dehydrated? These 7 Foods Will Satisfy Your Thirst and Hunger

When heat and humidity soar, keeping your body hydrated matters more than ever. But did you know you can hydrate with what’s on your plate, not just what’s in your cup?

The following foods are heavy on water content, according to registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. In several cases, they’re also full of nutrients that can help you fight disease. So, eat up, and beat the heat with your fork.

1. Cucumbers

Hydrate and replenish your skin with fresh cucumbers. In addition to containing 95% water, cucumbers are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that help remove waste from your body and reduce skin irritation. Preliminary research also suggests cucumbers promote anti-wrinkling and anti-aging activity. You can find them at your local farmers market or local grocer. Tip: Freeze cucumber slices and place them on your skin under your eyes for 10 to 15 minutes to relieve redness and puffiness.

2. Celery

This fibrous veggie will satisfy your craving for crunch. It’s also tied with cucumbers and iceberg lettuce at 95% water by weight. You can feel good about eating celery because of its low-calorie count and high value in vitamin K, folate and potassium. What’s more, Zumpano says celery juice is packed with many vitamins and minerals, including:

• Calcium: 94.4mg (7% of daily value).
• Magnesium: 26 mg (6% dv).
• Phosphorus: 56.6 mg (5% dv).
• Sodium: 189 mg (8% dv).
• Vitamin A: 51.9 mcg (6% dv).
• Vitamin B6: 0.175 mg (10% dv).
• Vitamin C: 7.32 mg (8% dv).
• Vitamin K: 69.1 mcg (58% dv).

“Drinking celery in juice form allows you to consume much more of the vegetable, thereby consuming higher quantities of its nutrients and vitamins than if you were just munching on a stalk of celery,” says Zumpano.

3. Iceberg lettuce

The “ice” might as well be melted, as this type of lettuce contains 95% water. That makes it a good hydrating base for your summer salad. But iceberg lettuce doesn’t pack as much of a punch as other leafy greens. If you prefer the heart-healthy benefits of leafy greens instead, spinach is a good alternative at 91% water by weight.

4. Zucchini

Look for fresh, in-season zucchini this summer. Like its relatives in the cucumber and melon families, this popular summer squash has a high water content — almost 95%. Better yet, zucchini packs in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Those last two are especially important for eye health.

5. Watermelon

No surprise here — “water” is in the name, after all. Watermelon flesh contains 91% water. This summer treat also contains abundant lycopene, which can help protect cells from sun damage and improve your complexion.

6. Strawberries

They’re sweet enough that you can eat them for dessert. But the benefits of strawberries go beyond flavor and 91% water content. They provide a rich source of flavonoids, compounds associated with improved cognitive function. For example, one study associated eating more berries with delayed cognitive aging of up to 2.5 years.

7. Cauliflower

Surprised? Well, cauliflower is actually 92% water by weight. It’s rich in vitamin C, vitamin K and other key essentials. Cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables contain nutrients that may help lower cholesterol and lower cancer risk. Try it mashed as a substitute for mashed potatoes.