Enjoying the hot summer days involves being outside… A LOT. Are you nourishing your body and staying hydrated?
With the summer heat comes a lot more sweating. We lose more water than we usually do in the colder months, making it even more important to stay vigilant about remaining hydrated. I know this can be a difficult task if it's not something you're used to doing daily, so here are some helpful tips to make sure you stay hydrated this summer and how to enjoy a hot summer day.
Here are 7 ideas on how to make sure you stay hydrated on a hot summer day
Carry a reusable water bottle with you.
Make it a habit to carry your reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. Even if you're just walking around the house, take your bottle with you. This will be your constant reminder to drink water, and it'll always be on hand. There are many fun water bottles that you can buy; some even have time measurements on the side to keep you on track with drinking water throughout the day.
Track your water intake.
There are many ways that you can do this, from keeping a note in your phone to downloading a water intake app. You don't need anything fancy or high-tech. You can buy a water bottle with measurements or buy an extra-large water bottle where your entire water intake for the day will fit in one fill-up. Don’t make it too complicated.
Flavor your water.
If you don't feel like drinking plain water, add some natural flavoring. Put some mint and lemon wedges into a pitcher and let the flavors infuse your water. You can also put fruits, such as berries and watermelon, or make cucumber-infused water. The options are endless!
Make smoothies.
Smoothies are a great way to get some extra hydration while also tasting delicious and giving you some extra energy. Instead of having a sit-down meal for breakfast, make a hydrating smoothie with water, fruits, protein, and a healthy source of fat. Smoothies can be just as nutritious and filling, depending on what you put in them.
Remember that not all drinks are equally hydrating.
Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics and will dehydrate you, so it's wise to limit your consumption. When you choose drinks other than water, make it a habit of having a glass of water alongside your beverage. Coconut water is an excellent alternative to regular water if you want to switch it up, and it also contains electrolytes, which regulate fluid balance and keeps you hydrated. If you buy coconut water at the store, make sure it doesn't have any added sugars.
Keep yourself cool.
Staying hydrated isn't only about drinking as much water as possible— you also need to make sure you're not losing too much of it. If you notice you're sweating a lot, get yourself out of the sun and cool down. Try not to be outside in the middle of the day when it's hottest out, and carry a portable fan with you if needed.
Eat your water.
When you want an alternative to that glass of water, consider foods with high water content. Many cooling foods, such as cucumber, grapes, and watermelon, are high in water content and can help to boost your hydration efforts too. Plus, the burst flavor is a nice change to just a boring glass of water.
Now that you know how to stay hydrated, let’s chat about watermelon and how you can enjoy it on a hot summer day.
I can't help but get excited to buy that first ripe watermelon. Of course, there's nothing more refreshing than watermelon slices on a hot summer day, but you don't have to eat it plain.
Here are some different ways that you can enjoy watermelon this season.
Make a watermelon salad
There's nothing more refreshing and appropriate for summer than adding fruits to your salad, and watermelon is no exception. Watermelon tastes delicious paired with feta cheese (substitute a vegan feta cheese, if desired) and mint. You can serve this combination in a variety of ways. Throw the ingredients into a bowl with some cucumber, red onion, and lime juice for a refreshing salad, or make individual appetizers of watermelon cubes topped with the feta and mint.
Add some spices and seasoning.
If you've never tried putting spices on your watermelon, now is the time to start. Cinnamon, Tajin seasoning (chili powder, salt, and lime juice), and cayenne pepper all make delicious combinations of spicy and sweet watermelon that you must try. However, if you want something simpler, have your watermelon with a bit of Himalayan sea salt— it will bring out its sweetness even more.
Make watermelon popsicles.
All you need for this delicious kid-friendly treat are some popsicle molds. Blend up the watermelon, pour it into the molds, and stick it in the freezer. You'll get some delicious, all-natural popsicles that everyone will enjoy; without all those added sugars. Similarly, you can make watermelon sorbet by freezing some watermelon cubes and then blending them with lime juice.
Watermelon and prosciutto appetizers.
Pairing melon with prosciutto is an Italian cuisine classic, and although it's usually made with honeydew melon, watermelon works just as well. Wrap the prosciutto slices around the watermelon and top with some fresh basil leaves. You'll impress your friends with little effort.
Watermelon tuna.
Makes a surprisingly good substitute for raw tuna. You can eat it like a watermelon tuna steak, put it in your poke bowls, or make watermelon ceviche. Use similar seasonings to what you would use for tuna, such as coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Let it marinate for at least an hour, and you're ready to serve this vegan-friendly and refreshing meal.
Watermelon Gazpacho.
Gazpacho is a cold soup made of blended raw veggies, making it the perfect summer meal. It is usually made with tomatoes, but you can make a watermelon version that'll be a crowd-pleaser.
Make a watermelon juice or a mocktail.
Watermelon juice is very easy to make because the fruit already contains so much water. Just blend it and add some ice and mint. You can drink watermelon juice on its own or use it to make a mocktail. There are plenty of recipes out there, depending on what drinks you enjoy.
Grill your watermelon.
Next time you fire up the grill, throw on some watermelon for dessert. Watermelon has a wonderfully unique flavor when grilled. It becomes smokier and pairs well with lime juice, mint, and spices such as chili powder. Coat the watermelon slices with a little bit of sea salt before grilling to let them char.
There are several ways to stay hydrated when you think outside the box. Are there any other water-based foods that you enjoy in different inventive ways? Let me know in the comments below!
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