As the weather warms up and we start to spend more time either outdoors in the heat, or indoors in the air conditioning, we’re more likely to get dehydrated. But rehydrating can be tricky—we generally need a lot more water than we think we do, but often, simply drinking more water can only help so much. Here are a few ways you can stay hydrated that go beyond just getting your 6-8 glasses per day.
Start your day with a bowl of oatmeal.
Oatmeal is an excellent source of hydration because oats absorb so much water. If you really want to take it to the next level, you can also add chia seeds, which can absorb up to 10 times their dry weight in water. Add fruit and a small handful of nuts, and you’ll have enough micro and macronutrients to keep you going all morning. Plus, the added minerals help maintain proper hydration levels.
Swap out water for herbal tea, or add a splash of juice.
While drinking plenty of fresh water is important for our health, if we’re already dehydrated, our body needs extra minerals and electrolytes to retain that hydration. Herbal tea is a great way to meet your water requirement while signalling to your body to absorb what you’re drinking. We also love adding a splash of juice to sparkling water as a quick, low-sugar way to rehydrate.
Not all water is created equal.
Ever found yourself downing tons of water but still felt thirsty after? Reverse osmosis water, for example, can actually dehydrate you if you consume too much. To help counteract this, you can purchase trace mineral drops from the health food store, or add a squeeze of lemon and a pinch of sea salt to your next glass.
High water-content foods.
Virtually all of the foods we consume contain some amount of water, but some obviously rank (much) higher than others. Snacking on fruits and veggies like watermelon (92% water), strawberries (91% water), cucumbers (95% water), leafy greens (96% water), and tomatoes (94% water) can help boost your hydration. Foods like yogurt and soup are also good sources of extra hydration, which can in turn help boost your digestion and energy levels.
