Dehydrated? Try These Fruits & Veggies To Quench Your Thirst

Eight glasses of water a day will keep dehydration away. However, add in a few water-rich fruits and vegetables to stay hydrated without counting those glasses of water. This will also help stave away dehydration – when you skip a cup or two.

How do you know if you’re dehydrated? Good question. Knowing how to identify your body’s signs of dehydration is the first step. Second, adding in fruits and vegetables with a high-water content if you’re struggling to drink enough water each day. Here's what you need to know:

How do I know if I am dehydrated?

Sometimes your body is obvious about its thirst with dry mouth, chapped lips, itchy throat, or a longing desire for a cold glass of water. However, there are some hidden, often overlooked signs to watch out for as well:

Dry or itchy scalp

Much like chapped lips, a dry or flaky scalp can be a sign of dehydration. You will want to tackle this internally by increasing your water intake and externally with a hydrating conditioner.

Oily complexion

Dehydration doesn't always mean dry skin. If your skin is shinier than normal, try drinking more water and keep your skin routine simple with gentle washing and moisturizing twice per day. Using harsh products to treat oil or acne-prone skin strips your complexion of its natural hydration, which can only worsen the issue.

Mood swings

Sometimes dehydration shows itself in your emotions or even through fatigue. If you feel unusually moody, confused, or unfocused, it may be your body telling you to increase hydration. Add in your water and water-rich fruits and vegetables.

Dark urine

A good rule of thumb is to continue to hydrate your body until your pee is pale yellow. If your urine is dark or smelly, this can be an indication of dehydration.

Bad breath

If no amount of toothpaste, mouthwash, mints, or gum can get rid of unpleasant breath, drink a glass of water. When you're dehydrated, your mouth can't fight odor-causing germs effectively.

Muscle cramps

If your muscles don't get enough water, they may spasm or cramp during your next workout. If this happens, your muscles may be telling you that your body is thirsty. Try infusing your water with fruits and herbs to motivate you to drink more.

Lack of sweat

If you're not sweating as much as normal, it may be that your body is holding on to limited resources and it's time to refill with hydrating foods and liquids. Sweating is essential to your overall health as it is part of your body’s natural detoxification process.

Food cravings

More than a dieting tactic to reduce calorie intake, drinking a glass of water can often reduce feelings of hunger. This is because sometimes your "hunger" is your body telling you it's thirsty. Joy McCarthy, holistic nutritionist, and Genuine Health ambassador told Reader's Digest Best Health that it's a good idea to drink two glasses of water between meals to stay hydrated and ensure you're actually hungry the next time your stomach grumbles.

Combat dehydration with fruits and veggies

Of course a glass of water is the hero when it comes to saving your body from dehydration. However, with the right fruits and veggies, you can make sure your body stays hydrated in between gulps as well. That's because most produce has such a high water percentage that it adds to your fluid intake.

Water-Rich Fruits That Help You Stay Hydrated:

Get your sweet fix with watermelon and strawberries, while also filling your body with the hydration it needs. If your prefer citrus fruits, tangy grapefruits have plenty of water to offer as well. Plus, according to Health magazine, they can also help lower cholesterol and shed inches from your waistline. Cantaloupe, lemons, pears, pineapple, and star fruit will also help fight dehydration.

Water-Rich Vegetables That Help You Stay Hydrated:

Cucumbers, celery, broccoli, iceberg lettuce and spinach are mostly water, so they're great for hydrating and replenishing your skin. Load up your salads with these green goddesses! For added color and hydration, top your salad with bell peppers, radishes, tomatoes, baby carrots, and cauliflower.

While some fruits and vegetables have higher water percentages than others, you can't really go wrong with any produce. Simply, head to your local farmers market or grocery store and stock up on the season's freshest produce. Goodbye dehydration and hello to a healthy mind, body, and, spirit