In many parts of the country, it is already warm. It’s essential to be hydrated year-round. But it’s an uphill battle during the warm months!
Many people tackle the issue by simply adding more water to the day. If that works for you, great. But, some people struggle to drink enough. They find it to be a chore. Drinking more can be a necessary evil to stay healthy when the temperature rises. However, there are other ways to fight off dehydration.
When discussing eating hydrating foods, most of us think of cucumbers or celery first, followed by other fruits and veggies. They are wonderful sources of water and fiber! One food that might not immediately spring to mind is yogurt. However, Greek yogurt is an excellently hydrating food.
Milk is more hydrating than water. It isn’t surprising that Greek yogurt is a great way to replenish the moisture you lose on warm days. It has the added benefit of being low in carbs and high in protein. That means it can help stabilize blood sugar while being 80 percent water.
“Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt is a high-moisture food, and not only offers a quality source of protein, but is also low in carbohydrate and sugar,” said Mary Ellen Phipps, a registered dietitian and author of The Easy Diabetes Cookbook. “That makes it a perfect combination for people who have to pay attention to their blood sugars.”
While flavored yogurts can be high in sugar, unflavored Greek yogurt has about six grams of carbs in a serving. You can add fruit or sweeteners yourself. Or, as the photo above shows, you can add it to vegetables in the place of sour cream or ranch to have a savory meal or snack. Because it has a mild, tangy flavor, you can build off of it as a base.
Combining yogurt with fruits or vegetables will add even more hydrating foods to your day. And you’ll be adding fiber, as it’s one helpful nutrient yogurt lacks but fruits and veggies contain in abundance!
Greek yogurt is also a good source of electrolytes. While it’s quite low in sodium, a serving has 282 milligrams of potassium, 274 milligrams of phosphorus and 22 milligrams of magnesium. For people with certain health concerns, that can be a drawback. But if you are dehydrated or working out, you need to replenish electrolytes. Your body loses them as you sweat, and they play an important role in heart, nerve and muscle function.
So, as the weather heats up and hydration becomes more of a concern, add Greek yogurt to your menu. You’ll be thrilled you did!
