Hydration is an essential part of your overall health; it can’t be emphasized enough. Ensuring you’re hydrated helps to prevent infections and allow your organs to function properly, among other things. The most obvious (and effective) way to do this is to make sure you’re drinking enough water–but it’s also important to remember that the foods you eat can also make or break your hydration levels. In fact, there are two types of foods that health experts say you should leave behind this year if you want to go through 2023 feeling hydrated and healthy: sugary snacks and fried foods.
To learn more about why you should avoid sugary foods and fried options for your health, we spoke to Joanna Wen, certified health coach and founder of Spices & Greens. She told us that regularly eating these foods can lead to headaches, fatigue, dizziness, and more. Find all of her insight and advice below!
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1. Sugary snacks
If you have a sweet tooth, you may find yourself reaching for options like fruity candy, chocolate, or even sugary cereal as a snack throughout the day. However, Wen says eating too much sugar can lead to dehydration and take a serious toll on your overall health. “Sugary snacks contain little nutritional value and mostly just sugar and carbs, which leads to dehydration and a host of other long-term adverse effects,” she warns.
She explains that regularly eating snacks like these can lead to “rapid spikes and dips in sugar levels, fatigue, low energy levels, dizziness, headaches, and over time potential diabetes.” Yikes! This means that if better health is a goal of yours, it may be time to get serious about kicking your sweets habit this year .
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to satisfy your sweet tooth without putting your wellness at risk. Wen recommends dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao content, dried fruit (that doesn’t contain added sugar or preservatives), smoothie bowls made with yogurt or natural nut better, and fresh fruits like apples or melon. Yum!
2. Fried foods
In addition to your favorite candy, there’s another deviously delicious food category you should try your best to steer clear of this year if you want to avoid dehydration: fried food. There’s a laundry list of reasons fried food can be detrimental to your health, but two of the biggest culprits when it comes to dehydration are its fat and salt content, says Wen.
Salt, in particular, is extremely dehydrating–and fried foods typically contain lots of it. “Excess salt intake from salty snacks can cause dehydration, high blood pressure, and other long-term health risks,” Wen warns. “Additionally, consuming too much salt affects kidney function by reducing its ability to properly filter fluids and toxins from the body.”
While fried foods can be tasty and difficult to turn down, choosing healthier alternatives is the best way to keep your body hydrated and thriving to the best of its ability. Wen recommends opting for fresh fruits and vegetables, “as these are hydrating options that contain all essential vitamins and minerals, promoting better overall energy levels and organ functioning.”
Instead of ordering fried foods, you may want to consider going with grilled, steamed, or roasted foods, which “can also provide necessary nutrients while keeping you energized and hydrated rather than drained of energy due to dehydration.” Plus, they’re as delicious as they are nutritious.
Of course, the best way to avoid dehydration is to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water–at least 8oz a day, as recommended by experts. However, your diet can also play a significant role. By cutting out sugary snacks and fried foods, you’ll not only keep hydration levels up, but you’ll also be well on your way to a healthier body overall.
