When it comes to staying hydrated, salt and sugar are your enemy. If you’re drinking tea to get hydrated, skip the sugar. There’s a myth out there that caffeine makes you dehydrated, but there actually isn’t evidence to support this. A cup of caffeinated tea may make you urinate a little faster than you normally would, but your body will still absorb the water content. [5] X Research source
Like tea, you may not feel like you’re getting hydrated when you drink coffee because it makes you urinate more often. This doesn’t mean you aren’t hydrated, though!
Low-fat and fat-free milk are going to be healthier for you than full-fat milk. [9] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source This isn’t to say that you should just drink milk and skip the water entirely. Water is still the hands-down champion when it comes to keeping you happy and healthy. [10] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source A bowl of cereal is a great way to incorporate some milk into your diet!
Pears, cucumbers, and strawberries stand out as especially good options as well. All of these fruits are refreshing and have an exceptionally high water content. [13] X Research source Even the least hydrating fruits, like bananas and grapes, are still 75-80% water. [14] X Research source Dehydrated fruits still contain 15% water or more, which may be surprising. They won’t refresh you the same way a cup of water or a fresh pear will, but there’s some water in there![15] X Research source You can also add some pieces of fruit into your water to make it a little more fun and flavorful. [16] X Research source
Potatoes do have a high water content on their own. [18] X Research source Unfortunately, heating food removes a fair percentage of the water content, and potatoes tend to require high cooking times. Tomatoes technically count as vegetables. They’re 94% water and you can incorporate them into a ton of different dishes. Cherry tomatoes with olive oil and mozzarella make for a great snack![19] X Research source
Stay away from the high-salt and high-sugar dressings if possible. Salt and sugar are just going to make you thirstier. Olive oil on its own is a great, subtle alternative if you need one!
Tomatoes are 95% water, so things like tomato soup and tomato bisque are going to be solid options. [24] X Research source Some canned soups are really high in sodium or sugar. Try to get “light” soups, or make your own for the best results!
While Greek yogurt is still good from a hydration perspective, regular yogurt contains more water. The difference isn’t that big though, so feel free to choose whichever type of yogurt you like best. [27] X Research source
Meat is a solid source of protein, and it helps to eat a balanced diet. You shouldn’t be throwing burgers and sausage on the grill every night, but the occasional steak and regular lean meats are perfectly fine.
