5 ways to stay hydrated (that you may not have considered)

If ever there’s a topic that we hit again and again on this blog, it’s hydration. It’s so important, yet so easy to overlook. We’ll keep the nagging to a minimum, but if you’re looking to up your water intake throughout the day, here are five easy ways to do it.

Salads. A big meal during the day means your body needs to divert both energy and hydration to support digestion. Salads flip that equation around by keeping you light on your feet but also delivering lots of water at the same time. Salad standbys like lettuce, cucumbers, and carrots are all packed with water.

Fruit. Fruit is another-water rich food that can fill your belly and also help you stay hydrated. Apples, blueberries, and watermelons are all great summer fruits that give you a snack you can feel good about.

Smoothies. Smoothies are a treat to drink and it’s easy to pack all sorts of good fruits and veggies inside. They are substantial enough to be enjoyable and satisfying, but healthy enough that you shouldn’t feel like a slug after you’re done. Crushed ice will really increase the water content of the drink. Speaking of which…

Ice. If you have a tendency towards mindless snacking, munching on ice chips can be a great way to avoid eating a ton of junky calories without thinking about it. As an added bonus, it’s water!

Water+. Generally, plain old water is the best thing you can drink throughout the day to stay hydrated, but for some of us getting enough can feel like a chore. If you’re finding glass after glass of water to be less than satisfying, try squeezing in a lemon or adding pretty much any other fruit that strikes your fancy. Experiment with orange slices, strawberries, or some apples.