Beat the hot days. Try these hydration hacks!

by hungerintervention | Aug 2, 2024 | Blog, Cooking Tips and Tricks, Healthy Eating | 0 comments

The content for this blog has been adapted from the American Heart Association newsletter.

Did you know that our body is 55% to 75% water? No wonder hydration is so important for our health, especially on a hot day when our body looses a lot of water.

The National Academy of Medicine recommends men consume 13 8-ounce glasses of water per day and women consume nine, more if they are pregnant or breastfeeding. Hydrating doesn’t have to mean only drinking water though. Many foods, particularly fruits and veggies, are high in water content. Aim for fruits and veggies that contain at least 85% water. Cucumbers, at 95% water, are a great option and they’re low in calories, high in fiber and vitamins K and A. Other great options include tomatoes, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, celery, peaches, zucchini and asparagus. There are so many delicious possibilities, especially in the Pacific Northwest.

While these foods boost hydration, they don’t replace drinking water entirely so still keep your water bottle close by. You can also make your water interesting if that appeals to you. It is surprisingly easy to make DIY fruit and vegetable flavored water. You will find hundreds of ideas if you search online, or just stick to some of the classics and drop a few slices of lemon or cucumber in your water bottle. Refreshing!

Avoid dehydrating drinks like alcohol or caffeinated beverages, including many energy drinks that often also contain a lot of sugar. It’s always a good idea to check the nutrition panel and look at the added sugar line.

Check out more healthy recipes and tips on our blogs.

As the first spotlight of the year, we would like to highlight Nick and his immeasurable contribution to our Senior Community Meal program! Nick has helped with check-in for meal service for about 8 years.

Nick found out about HIP through Jerry Berger, one of the founders of HIP, at his local church. What began as a new volunteering experience became a routine part of Nick’s life as a retiree. “Volunteering keeps me busy and is one way for me to socialize.”

As a front-facing volunteer, Nick’s unique position allows him to engage with the people around him as well as observe budding relationships grow. He likes seeing “how seniors grow in their [inter]actions with each other.” and appreciates the camaraderie he sees between HIP staff and volunteers. He also found a physical benefit by getting in some exercise while putting up and taking down tables.

We hope his story will inspire others to volunteer in their communities. In his own words: “Yes I would recommend volunteering at HIP for those that have the time, are looking for a way to help the community, or just need something to do while looking for a job. They could be like me, retired and need to keep busy.”

As a pivotal part of the Senior Meals crew, we are so happy to see Nick’s familiar face every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Thank you Nick for all that you do!