Staying well hydrated is important to your health since fluids help your body's systems work as they should and carry nutrients to your cells.
You probably think of hydration as drinking water, and while that's certainly a great way to get fluids, it's not the only way.
The following are some of the best ways to rehydrate besides water:
Eat plenty of fruits and veggies.
Many fruits and vegetables have a high water content, in addition to plenty of nutrients. Choose foods like watermelons and other melons, as well as oranges, tomatoes and celery, and you'll be giving your hydration a good boost, according to Glamour.com.
Eat oatmeal at breakfast.
Oatmeal absorbs the milk or water it's cooked in, so it's a surprising source of fluid. Glamour.com says that adding fruit to it will help you get even more hydration.
Drink something other than water.
Beverages other than water, according to health and lifestyle website Daily Burn, can also count toward your fluid intake. Unsweetened, flavored teas are a good choice, as are smoothies. Even coffee and other caffeinated drinks count toward your total. Although they can have a mild diuretic effect, it's not enough to outweigh the fluid you're taking in.
Credit: Chris Hunt
Credit: Chris Hunt
Enjoy a sweet treat.
SHAPE magazine recommends choosing a snack like a Popsicle, yogurt or sugar-free Jell-O to get a boost of hydration between meals.
Eat some soup.
Try a broth-based soup for the biggest hydration boost, according to U.S. News & World Report, but any kind will do. Adding vegetables with a high water content – like tomatoes or celery – makes it even better.
Try fruit or vegetable juice.
U.S. News & World Report also reports that fruit and vegetable juices help hydrate you while helping your body to absorb more nutrients such as vitamins A and C. Apple and orange juice can be mixed with water to cut the sugar content.
Drink coconut water after a mild workout.
Coconut water is a good alternative to "regular" water after a low-key workout, according to the same U.S. News & World Report article. It has more potassium and less sodium and carbs than sports drinks do, but, if you have a strenuous workout with intense sweating, you may need to try a sports drink to replenish your sodium.
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