Foods that Quench Thirst

Hydration is important to your overall health; after all, the average human is composed of roughly 65% water. But sometimes you just get tired of drinking tasteless, boring water. Why not eat your water? You can with these ten foods that are chock-full of H₂0.

• Cucumber – 97% water. Cucumber has the highest water content of any solid food. And it’s versatile enough to prevent flavor burn-out. Try adding cucumber to your salads, serving slices alongside hummus or making a delicious chilled cucumber soup, which adds even more hydration power to this super-charged, juicy food.

• Iceberg Lettuce – 96% water. Sure, iceberg lettuce may not have the same powerhouse nutritional value as other leafy greens like spinach and kale, but it does have a ton of water. Use iceberg lettuce in your salads (especially with cucumber!), add some to sandwiches or even replace your bread with lettuce to create a low-carb wrap.

• Celery – 95% water. Even though there’s only six calories in a stalk of celery, the urban legend that you’ll burn more calories than you consume when eating this veggie just isn’t true. But it is true that celery has a lot of benefits for your body. First, it’s chock-full of hydrating water. Plus, the fiber content of celery can help leave you feeling full and curb your appetite. Celery also contains a cocktail of vitamins known to neutralize stomach acid, which makes this vegetable a suitable remedy for heartburn and acid reflux.

• Radishes – 95% water. There’s a bit of a salad theme going on here, isn’t there? Radishes add a hydrating, spicy crunch (and pop of color) to salads and coleslaws. As a bonus, they’re also rich in antioxidants.

• Tomatoes – 95% water. There are few things in life better than a fresh, ripe, homegrown tomato. Obviously, tomatoes are great in salads and sauces. But smaller varieties, like grape and cherry tomatoes, make a great snack-on-the-go. Pair them with some low-fat cheese or skewer them with basil leaves and mozzarella for a quick and easy party pleaser.

• Green Peppers – 94% water. Peppers of all shades are rich in antioxidants and high in water content, but green peppers lead the pack. Try slicing some of these veggies into sticks as a hydrating snack or add them into, you guessed it, salads.

• Cauliflower – 92% water. Not only does cauliflower hydrate the body, but it’s been shown to help fight cancer and lower cholesterol. If cauliflower isn’t a regular part of your diet, it should be. And, in keeping with the salad motif, cauliflower makes an excellent low-carb alternative to croutons.

• Watermelon – 92% water. As its name suggests, watermelon is full of water. If you’ve ever tried to grow this melon, you’ll know it’s a thirsty fruit. And if you’re thirsty, watermelon is a great way to quench your thirst. Plus, it’s packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that helps fight cancer.

• Spinach – 91% water. Even though iceberg lettuce has a higher water content, spinach has a leg-up when it comes to nutritional value. Spinach is a superfood; it contains lutein, fiber, potassium, folate, and 15% of your daily vitamin E per serving. If it’s good enough for Popeye, it’s good enough for you!

• Star Fruit – 91% water. This is a cool one. Star fruit adds interest to fruit salads or fruit tarts and makes a fun garnish on a refreshing beverage. It comes in sweet and tart varieties, so you can hydrate to your taste. However, if you have kidney problems, this fruit is not for you due to its high levels of oxalic acid.

These are just the top-ten foods by water content. Plenty of healthy fruits, veggies and even some meats can help you make sure you’re getting all the water you need. Remember, your daily recommended water intake is 64 ounces.