Beat the Heat with What You Eat

This June was h-o-t in Houston. In fact, it hasn’t been this hot here since 2011.

While there’s no avoiding the heat — especially if you’re a busy Realtor — there are things you can do to safeguard your health and make it easier on you when jumping in and out of scorching hot cars. (Did you know it’s typically 20 degrees warmer inside your car than the outside temperature?)

In line with our JDC Empowers Realtors efforts, we’d like to offer some hydration tips that go beyond downing eight (or more) cups of water daily.

Bring on the Fruit and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables have high water-content values — and this goes beyond the appropriately named watermelon, which is about 96 percent water. Blueberries and pineapple have a water content of about 95 percent. Melons and grapefruit are 92 percent and 90 percent, respectively. Not much into fruit? Eat a salad — lettuce is approximately 95 percent water and cucumbers are 96 percent. Throw on some radishes — they have a water content value of 95 percent. Celery is another good choice, as is broccoli. Celery’s water content is about 95 percent while broccoli is 89 percent. Spinach is about 92 percent water.

Give Your Water Some Flavor

If water is just too “blah” for your tastebuds, consider trying coconut water or a flavored zero-calorie water-based drink. There are tablets you can add to your water bottle that not only flavor the water, but also add electrolytes, which aid hydration. Or go straight to an electrolyte beverage like Gatorade. You can also add some fruit to your water — try making a Strawberry Basil Blast! Just crush eight basil leaves and combine with three cups of halved strawberries. Gently muddle them in a large pitcher of ice-cold water.

More Yummy Ideas

Make some overnight oats for a quick and easy breakfast. Oatmeal is especially hydrating as it soaks up the water or milk it’s cooked in. Add chia seeds, a healthy boost that soaks up 10 times their weight.

Did you know milk is actually more hydrating than water or sports drinks? Use it in your overnight oatmeal or in a smoothie — or just drink it by itself! Not only will you be hydrated, you’ll benefit from its protein and calcium. 

Make smart choices at lunch and dinner time. Broth-based soups are good choices to stay hydrated. Don’t want a hot soup in the summer? There are plenty of tasty cold soups. Also, skip the pasta and go for zoodles. Not only are zoodle noodles about 95 percent water, they have fewer calories — something your waistline will love.

Y’all keep cool out there!