Smart Ways to Stay Cool

When summer turns up the heat, staying hydrated becomes a top priority — but plain water isn’t your only option for keeping cool. And by the time you feel parched, you’re already slightly dehydrated. With these strategic food choices and creative drinks, you can maintain your chill while also enjoying delicious summer flavors.

Powerhouse Produce

Start by incorporating more water-rich fruits into your daily routine. Watermelon leads the pack with its 92% water content, making it nature’s perfect refreshment. Keep chunks of watermelon in the fridge for an instant cooling snack. Other hydrating fruits include peaches, oranges and apples. Vegetables can be powerful hydration allies too. Cucumber slices offer a refreshing crunch while helping you stay hydrated, thanks to their high water content. Bell peppers, celery and lettuce are other excellent options that can help you meet your daily fluid needs while adding vital nutrients.

Better Blends

Get creative with your beverage choices by blending smoothies that combine hydrating fruits with coconut water. Why coconut water? It has plenty of electrolytes, including potassium, sodium and manganese, which are charged minerals crucial to rehydrating. You can also add a scoop of chia seeds. They soak up liquid, expand in size and become little hydration boosters packed with fiber and protein to also help satiation.

More Cool Ideas

Use berries as natural ice cubes in sparkling water or lemonade — they’ll keep your drink cold without diluting it while also adding subtle flavor while they thaw. Don’t forget about soup! While it might seem counterintuitive in summer, chilled options like gazpacho or cucumber soup can be incredibly refreshing while providing hydration and nutrients. Make a batch in advance and keep in the fridge for a cooling lunch choice.