When we think of hydration, we typically think of grabbing a glass of water or asking, “How many glasses should I have?”  This is the typical way that we approach our hydration, and then focus on keeping track of how many ounces we’ve had or how many bottles we’ve drank. 

I feel it’s harder to get the allotted amounts of water we need in during winter months.  The general rule is drink ½ your body weight in ounces of water per day.  That can be tough in the summer when it’s hot, so what about the thought of adding in moisture rich foods to help keep your skin plump; your discs filled for better spinal cushion and your digestive system functioning well. 

So, what foods can help hydrate our bodies? Foods with high-water content like the obvious: watermelon, celery, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, spinach, or carrots.  If you’ve ever juiced, you’ll agree that these foods offer a lot of juice, but don’t forget foods like cauliflower, cabbage, cantaloupe, strawberries and broccoli!  They also are also moisture-packed options. Explore Health says, “Eat your water”.  Check out this article for more hydrating foods https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-hydrating-foods

There are other unlikely sources of moisture rich foods such as shrimp.  They have a moisture content between 70-79%; yogurt which is over 80% and cottage cheese which is also about 80% water.  Boiled eggs also make the list with about 75% water content.  Many of these are also protein rich sources of nutrients and offer a bounty of nutrients that make them not only foods that hydrate but stave off hunger. 

The more these foods are prepared or cooked, the less water content they have.  So, keep that in mind when serving these items, eating close to the source – from God’s natural packaging is the best. (AKA raw) When we eat raw foods it maximizes all the food has to offer.  God packaged these items as healthy grab ‘n go’s, it’s just taken us humans a bit more time to acknowledge how perfectly packaged many foods are by God’s original design!  Oranges, bananas, kiwis, and so many other fruits are packed and ready to go!  Take the time once or twice a week to measure out or investigate portion sizes and then package them ahead for quick grab on the go foods to eat that will help hydrate you.

We can maximize our diet by adding in these moisture rich foods to supplement the water we drink.  Hydration is essential for our bodies proper functioning. So just because you’re adding in these foods, don’t forget to drink your water!  Your winter skin, you lips and fingertips will show pruning or in the case of your lips dryness when you are dehydrated.  It’s not about adding moisturizing creams or lip balm – it’s about drinking your water!  Water has so many health benefits!  Check out another blog post where I discuss how water can reduce that feeling of “grazing”!