Oh summer, how I love you! These warm long days just make my heart sing. But it's easy to forget the need to stay hydrated so I advocate eating your fluids as well as drinking them. Here's a list of the most hydrating foods:
- Watermelon 92% water
- Celery 95% water
- Cucumber 96% water
- Lettuce 96% water
- Strawberries 92% water
- Radishes 95% water
- Zucchini / Courgette 95% water
- Tomatoes 94% water
- Grapefruit 90% water
- Jicama 90% water
I recently came across a recipe for a gorgeous, hydrating summer salad by Gina at www.skinnytaste.com and made a couple of small tweaks. This recipe includes jicama which is impossible to come by in the UK so consider it optional. If you can find it, add it. It has very low calories but great fibre content.
Watermelon, Jicama and Cucumber Salad
Dressing:
Juice from 1 lime
2 Tbls olive oil
2 tsp maple syrup
salt & pepper to taste
Salad:
2 c cubed watermelon
2 c peeled and cubed jicama
1/2 English cucumber peeled and cubed
1/4 c thinly sliced red onion
100g cubed or crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbls sliced fresh mint leaves
2 Tbls raw pumpkin seeds
In a large bowl whisk together dressing ingredients. Add chopped fruit and veg and toss gently. Add in feta, mint and pumpkin seeds and toss gently again. (for a vegan option omit the feta or choose a vegan cheese)
How are you staying hydrated this summer? Let me know how you get on.
