Everyone knows how essential daily water intake is for pretty much everything. Chugging water is the obvious defender against dehydration; but did you know it also fights aging and fatigue? Yes, it can be a bit bland and boring — especially with that tempting rosé nearby — but you can also meet your water needs through the foods you eat.

The key is to go for foods with high water content. Not only are these foods refreshing, but they are also typically bursting with nutrients and are naturally low in calories. So yes, you can have your water and eat it too! Keep that water bottle nearby and then go fill your fridge with my favorite water-rich foods below.

Radishes

Radishes are about 95% water. I love to slice up radishes and throw them on a salad or add them to a crudité for dunking into a yummy dip. Small but mighty, radishes contain the antioxidant Catechin, which is also found in green tea. If you’re looking for a crunch but want to avoid excess bloat, sub radishes for chips and dip, dip, dip!

Watermelon

How could I not mention watermelon? I mean, the first word in this fruit is water! Watermelon is about 93% water, and full of Lycopene. Lycopene is a cancer-fighting antioxidant found in red fruits and vegetables. Added bonus — it helps protect your skin from burning in the sun, but don’t forget that sunscreen!

Celery

Let me let you in on a secret: Even though everyone is drinking celery these days, it’s totally okay to eat it too. In fact, you should be. The celery stalk is full of fiber and water (95%!), which is the perfect combo to fill you up and keep hunger at bay. Celery also contains vitamin A, C, K, and folate. I may be biased, but I would pick that celery “crunch” over chips any day. Fill the middle with almond butter, or lightly drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with sea salt — the options are endless!

Cucumber

According to the USDA’s National Nutrient Database, cucumbers have the highest water content of any solid food — coming in at 97% water. Sliced into salads, eaten plain, dipped into hummus, or even pickled…the options are endless. Due to the high water content, cucumbers are known to help detoxify the body, tame inflammation (think putting cucumbers on eyes at a spa!) and can help improve digestion by hydrating the GI lining.

Trace Minerals

Not found as a whole food in the produce section, but incredibly important nevertheless. Trace minerals like magnesium, sodium, potassium, and calcium help chemical processes in our bodies on a cellular level and ensure true hydration. We usually can get these nutrients from the plants and the foods we eat, however, our soil is depleting and not as nutrient-rich as it once was, so consider this your back up plan. Flavorless yet potent, a few droppers of these minerals in your AM water will help your body use all the water you are taking in more efficiently. This isn’t for everyone, but if you always feel thirsty, or tired, or get red-faced from minimal exertion, these might just be for you.

Now get out there and enjoy the summer with confidence from knowing you are prepping your body to look great and function efficiently. That summer glow doesn’t only come from the sun!