Food Matters
1 July, 2015
Laurentine ten Bosch, Filmmaker (Food Matters and Hungry For Change)
Struggling to get 8 glasses of water a day? Put the glass down and opt for these delicious foods instead! They’ll contribute a significant amount of hydration, plus give you a range of vitamins and minerals!
It’s been said for years and years that you’re supposed to drink 8 glasses of water per day to keep hydrated. But what they forgot to mention was that food counts too! Roughly 20% of our daily water intake comes from solid foods, especially fruits and vegetables!
Water is still incredibly important for a host of reasons, but on a hot summer’s day, why not boost your hydration with these juicy foods, all of which are around 80-90% water by weight.
- Cucumber
At 95% water content, this crunchy summer vegetable has the highest water content of any solid food! It’s great in salads, sliced up with some dip, or blending into a smoothie, juice or cucumber soup! Cucumber also contains a little fiber and vitamin C!
- Green Peppers
These hydrating vegetables contain 93.9% water, just slightly more than the red and yellow versions. They are also rich in antioxidants, and make a great snack with dip, sliced up in salads or stuffed with quinoa and veggies!
- Tomato
Tomatoes make a delicious, hydrating snack, especially cherry tomatoes! Eat a handful as a snack or add them to your meal! They’ll provide a tasty pop of hydration plus lycopene and other vitamins and minerals.
- Watermelon
Not only is watermelon a great source of water at 92%, it’s also a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants. Serve icy cold for a satisfying Summertime snack!
- Strawberries
91% water, strawberries are a great contributor to your water intake for the day! Delivering the most vitamin C of all berries, folate, fiber and antioxidants, they’re a great little snack to enjoy! Eat them as is, with some yogurt, in a salad, blended into a smoothie or even in a raw dessert!
- Papaya
This gorgeous fruit tastes incredible with fresh lime juice! Plus it delivers a source of fiber and hydration with 88% water! It’s also rich in vitamin C and contains the digestive enzyme known as papain along with fibre which helps improve your digestive health.
- Grapefruit
A juicy, tangy citrus with a powerful hydrating punch! Not only does it contain 90.5% water, it can help shrink your waistline, help lower your cholesterol, stabilise your blood sugar and potentially help reduce your cravings! Eat it straight, pop some wedges into a salad, juice with greens, blend into icy poles, or serve as a tangy granita dessert!
- Butternut Squash
The humble, sweet and nutty squash is actually 88% water. Yet it provides over 400% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, as well as being a source of vitamin C, potassium and manganese! Roast some and serve in a salad, stuff small ones with lean grassfed mince and/or quinoa and vegetables, or turn it into a tasty dip with some bell peppers, cucumber and carrots to serve!
- Cantaloupe
One six ounce serving (about ¼ of a melon) provides 100% of your recommended intake for vitamins A and C! Comprised of 90.2% water, it’s a nourishing snack that can contribute significantly to your water intake! Serve in a smoothie, blended with frozen banana ‘icecream’, sliced in salads, or served as part of a mixed melon salad with fresh mint!
- Radishes
It’s not the first thing you may think of when talking about hydration, but these pretty vegetables are 95.3% water! Not only are they hydrating, but they are full of antioxidants including catechin (found in green tea!), adding a nutritious burst of spiciness and color to your plate!