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7 Healthy and Hydrating Foods: SparkPeople SlideShow

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7 Healthy and Hydrating Foods

Written by Melinda Hershey, Staff Writer

If you're trying to live a healthy lifestyle, you've probably heard that it's important to drink water. Staying hydrated combats fatigue, flushes out toxins, and can even help you lose weight by enhancing fullness levels (plus, we often mistake thirst signals for hunger signals).

But you don't have to just drink your water--you can eat it, too! There are plenty of nutritious foods that contain a high water content to keep your body functioning at its best. As a bonus, foods that have more water usually have fewer calories than foods that contain less water. Here are seven foods you should munch on to add a little extra H2O to your day.

Broccoli

Believe it or not, your green childhood nemesis is made of 91% water! Broccoli contains 20 calories per cup and is a great source of fiber, calcium and vitamin C.

Eat your water: Try this healthy Chinese takeout recipe. It's packed with hydrating broccoli and protein-rich beef!


Grapefruit

Tart and tangy grapefruit is made up of 91% water and only has 104 calories per fruit. Plus, just one serving supplies 120% of your daily value for vitamin C.

Eat your water: The combination of baby greens and grapefruit make this simple salad recipe a hydration powerhouse.


Spinach

Thirsty? Eat more salad! The humble spinach leaf is made up of 92% water and is just 7 calories per serving. Fill up on leafy greens for a healthy dose of vitamin A, vitamin C and fiber.

Eat your water: This vegetarian couscous recipe packs in two servings of water-heavy veggies per portion.


Eggplant

Eggplant is one of the most misunderstood vegetables in the produce section. But don't let its shiny purple exterior and spongy texture scare you away! Eggplant is made of 92% water and contains just 20 calories per serving. Incorporate it into your diet for a good source of fiber and antioxidants.

Eat your water: H2O-rich tomatoes and zucchini add even more hydrating benefits to this veggie-packed stuffed eggplant recipe.


Strawberries

It's no surprise that sweet and juicy strawberries are made up of 92% water. As a bonus, one serving of these ruby-red gems provides you with just 50 calories and nearly 150% of your daily value for vitamin C!

Eat your water: Refresh and re-hydrate with this low-fat smoothie recipe.


Tomatoes

This saucy Italian-food staple is made up of 94% water! At just 27 calories per serving, tomatoes are a great source of antioxidants, lycopene, and vitamins A and C.

Eat your water: Get double the hydration from tomato and spinach in this veggie pasta salad recipe.


Cucumber

Made up of 96% water, cucumber is your best friend in hot weather! At 8 measly calories per serving, it's also a great source of fiber and vitamin K, and may help reduce inflammation in the body.

Eat your water: Cool off and sneak in some extra hydration with this healthy party appetizer--individual cucumber cups!

This slideshow has been reviewed by Tanya Jolliffe, SparkPeople's healthy eating expert

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Member comments on this slideshow

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DEE500

8/8/2012 7:02:26 PM

I liked this article. I was surprised to disover spinach and eggplant had a high water content.

DEE500

8/8/2012 7:02:26 PM

I liked this article. I was surprised to disover spinach and eggplant had a high water content.

2NDROUND

8/3/2012 3:03:45 PM

2NDROUND's SparkPage 		If I'm not mistaken melons are high in sugar. It's OK to eat them as long as within moderation or you don't have heath issues regarding sugar.

GINGERD03

8/1/2012 10:42:54 PM

GINGERD03's SparkPage 		Helpful thanks~haven't had eggplant before so might be time to give it whirl.

STEVEBRAD1

7/27/2012 5:26:43 AM

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KAREN42BOYS

7/23/2012 8:42:35 PM

KAREN42BOYS's SparkPage 		Okay, I find it bizarre that this lists broccoli and grapefruit as equally water-dense. Are they including grapefruit's rind? Broccoli just isn't juicy.

JBRANDEN1

7/23/2012 11:25:46 AM

JBRANDEN1's SparkPage 		I agree I don't like egg plant but there needs to be melons. I like Honeydew and Cantelope better than watermelon. Yellow watermelon is awesome as well.

IWANT2SLEEP

7/21/2012 8:49:07 PM

IWANT2SLEEP's SparkPage 		I agree need to add watermelon! Otherwise I love all these foods except eggplant!

ALYA21

7/19/2012 1:27:47 PM

ALYA21's SparkPage 		I've never eat egg plant in my life may be it's time to try it. Very useful information.

MCLOYD2

7/19/2012 2:54:52 AM

MCLOYD2's SparkPage 		Very helpful. Thank you

COURTNEY055

7/18/2012 4:14:35 PM

COURTNEY055's SparkPage 		very helpful. Love almost everything that u showed!

DSING1770

7/18/2012 1:36:17 PM

DSING1770's SparkPage 		This list was helpful. However, I've never tried eggplant. Still contemplating it...I'm with the others that have already previously asked about watermelon..it's by far my favorite refreshing fruit!!

AMYDIANA45

7/18/2012 10:13:29 AM

AMYDIANA45's SparkPage 		This was very helpful

RESTFINDER

7/17/2012 4:08:15 PM

RESTFINDER's SparkPage 		My husband was planting trees today, and it was over 90 degrees. He came in and drank a huge glass of water but didn't feel better until he had a large bowl of watermelon. I agree, melon should have been on the list, especially watermelon. I use it in my smoothies and have to had much less liquid when I do.

SNOWYOWL56

7/17/2012 11:33:55 AM

SNOWYOWL56's SparkPage 		Where are the melons? I use watermelon to feed and hydrate the roofers, carpenters and other workers who have come to our farm to work. NOTHING can give such immediate hydration and nutrients to a human body under heat stress except maybe H2o.

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