I’ve recently come to the realization that when I’m feeling sluggish and tired, it’s often because I’m actually dehydrated. It usually happens around that 2 pm slump at work, when I’ve forgotten to refill my water bottle and reach for a coffee instead.
Did you know that when you feel thirsty, you’ve already lost 1-2% of your body fluid, which makes you lethargic? In fact, dehydration can lower blood volume, meaning you don’t get as much blood to your brain and your heart has to pump harder.
Okay, science class dismissed, and now the real question is: What else can we do about it besides drinking more water?
Since I for one find snacking to be more fun sometimes, I’m really interested in which fruits and vegetables do double duty in giving our bodies major doses of nutrition and hydration.
Scroll on for the 10 best hydrating foods and our favorite recipes for using them. Hint: these all have the bonus quality of being low-calorie because, well, water.
The Top 10 Best Hydrating Foods
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Cucumber
Cucumber is the Beyonce of hydrating foods with 96% water content. They’re also packed with vitamin C (hence why they’re so great for soothing puffy eyes!).
How to eat it:
Mango and Cucumber Noodle Salad
Cucumber and Pineapple Shrimp Tacos
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Watermelon
The perfect summertime fruit IMHO, watermelon’s sweet, refreshing, and made up of 92% water making it one of the best hydrating foods. Try it in the recipes below, or eat it by the slice and go ahead and let the juiciness drip all over you.
How to eat it:
Crispy Salmon with Watermelon-Mint Salsa
Kale, Avocado, & Watermelon Salad
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Cauliflower
Since cauliflower is filling and hearty, especially when roasted, I was shocked to discover that it’s actually 91% water. Packed full of Vitamin C, Vitamin K, fiber, and omega-3’s, it’s one of the most nutrient-dense hydrating foods out there.
How to eat it:
Gluten-Free Cauliflower Tabbouleh
Roasted Cauliflower Tacos with Cilantro Pesto
Cauliflower & White Bean Soup with Rosemary
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Grapefruit
I think of grapefruit as the ultimate dieter’s food, and while the claim that you actually burn calories eating it is a myth, it is pretty darn close to being calorie-free. Thankfully, it’s still full of deliciousness, and I love the tart sweetness that grapefruit brings to desserts, salads, or eaten straight up with a tiny sprinkle of sugar.
How to eat it:
Salmon, Cucumber, & Grapefruit Detox Salad
Melon & Citrus Popsicles
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Spinach
Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense veggies out there, which is pretty amazing considering the fact that it’s 92% water. One serving will give you energy-boosting nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and B-vitamins. Eat up!
How to eat it:
Butternut Squash, Spinach, & Goat Cheese Pasta
Camille’s Favorite Cocoa Green Smoothie
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Melon (Cantaloupe, Honeydew, etc)
Melons are just bursting with that juicy sweet flavor we all love. When they’re in season, I can’t leave a trip to the market without a ripe melon in tow. I usually chop it up the minute I get home and store it in containers in the fridge for the ultimate easy guilt-free snack.
How to eat it:
Mango-Melon Sorbet (vegan!)
Prosciutto & Melon Skewers
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Strawberries
Thank goodness for sweet strawberries. Even on their own, they taste like a treat, and with a 92% water content, they’ll flood your skin and body with major hydration.
How to eat it:
Vanilla Panna Cotta with Strawberries, Basil, & Almonds
Beet & Strawberry Salad with Gorgonzola
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Zucchini
Grilled, sautéed, or zoodled, there’s no wrong way to cook zucchini. With 94% water content, they’re super hydrating and you can eat them by the cup guilt-free. We have so many great zucchini recipes on the site, but I narrowed down a few of my faves.
How to eat it:
Zucchini Noodle Pesto Pasta
Zucchini Lasagna with Vegan Ricotta
Rosemary & Apple Zucchini Bread with Ginger
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Celery
For dieters, celery is famous for being practically “free” of calories… thanks to all that water. Little known fact: it’s also packed with natural salts to help replenish magnesium levels.
How to eat it:
The Best Chicken & Vegetable Soup
Black Quinoa Chopped Salad
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Pineapple
This juicy fruit is one of the best hydrating foods because it’s made up of 87% water and boasts major digestive and immunity-boosting benefits. Plus, one bite makes me feel like I’m on a tropical vacay.
How to eat it:
Cucumber & Pineapple Shrimp Tacos
Black Bean & Pineapple Salsa Lettuce Boats
This post was originally published on July 16, 2020, and has since been updated.
