Alternate Forms of Hydration in the Summer Months

In these hot summer months, the body is begging for liquids.  But instead of reaching for a glass of water, why not eat a slice of watermelon? 

A suitable daily allowance for water in adults is 2.5 liters per day, or approximately 2.5 to 3 quarts.  Infants, heavily exercising athletes, the sick, lactating women and the elderly have an increased need for fluids.  Many people do not consume enough water to meet this recommendation, but fluid needs can be met by consuming foods with high water content.

Below is a list of the percentage of water of some common food items.  The foods with the higher percentage of water can be incorporated into the diet in order to increase the amount of fluid in the diet.

LETTUCE (ICEBERG) 96
CELERY 95
CUCUMBERS 95
CABBAGE (RAW) 92
WATERMELON 92
BROCCOLI (BOILED) 91
MILK (NONFAT) 91
SPINACH 91
GREEN BEANS (BOILED) 89
CARROTS (RAW) 88
ORANGES 87
CEREALS (COOKED) 85
APPLES (RAW, WITHOUT SKIN) 84
GRAPES  81
POTATOES (BOILED) 77
EGGS 75
BANANAS 74
FISH (BAKED HADDOCK) 74
CHICKEN (ROASTED WHITE MEAT) 70
CORN (BOILED) 65
BEEF (SIRLOIN) 59
CHEESE (SWISS) 38
BREAD (WHITE) 37
CAKE (ANGEL FOOD) 34
BUTTER 16
ALMONDS (BLANCHED) 5
SALTINES  3
SUGAR (WHITE) 1
OILS 0