10 Hydrating Foods You Need in Your Diet

This summer has proven to bring the intense heat all across Florida and it’s a great time to change your diet. With more time spent outdoors, working out, lounging on the beach, hosting summer BBQs, or simply walking from your car to work, if you live in tropical Miami, you are prone to inevitable extreme sweat. Sweating increases your risk for dehydration, skin issues, vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Here are some of the most hydrating foods to include in your next grocery list. Optimize the nutritional benefits of these foods by eating local and in-season fruits and veggies during the heat and fuel your body with skin boosting foods that will keep your skin glowing and your thirst quenched.

Top 10 Foods:

• Watermelon - The most hydrating fruit on the list contains lycopene, which has heart protective properties. Cooking tip: drizzle olive oil and grill (lycopene is absorbed better this way). Serve as a side dish, in salads, or slice for a poolside snack.
• Iced Tea - Black, green tea, or hibiscus are full of antioxidants. Iced Teas is a great way to supplement your water intake. Cooking tip: drizzle some raw organic honey optional.
• Tomatoes - Full of Vitamin C, lycopene, antioxidant, tomatoes ranks high on the list for anti-cancer foods.
• Oranges - Are rich in potassium which we lose during sweat and they help with cramping after a workout.
• Cantaloupe & Honeydew Melons - Are diuretics and help flush out toxins from the body naturally.
• Nectarines, Peaches, and Apricots - High in Vitamin C and A and beta carotene. Skin boosting flavonoids our body needs to protect from sun damage.
• Zucchinis - High in fiber and pectin which helps lower cholesterol and improves heart health.
• Leafy Greens - Like kale, arugula, spinach, and my all time favorite watercress protect skin carotenoids by converting into Vitamin A.
• Sweet Corn - Has two rich nutrients; lutein and zeaxanthin which are essential to eye health.
• Berries - High in fiber, low in sugar and great antioxidants to sprinkle over salads, smoothies, yogurt bowls or eat by the handful.