Add These 14 Foods To Your Grocery Cart To Avoid Water Retention
Water retention can be a symptom of a severe medical condition like kidney disease or heart failure.
Fortunately, with most cases of water retention where the swelling is mild and occurs only occasionally, you’ll be able to reduce water retention by eating certain foods.
Water retention occurs when excess fluids build up inside the body.
Unfortunately, when most women retain water they tend to drink less water, causing the body to hold on to even more water.
This is the same concept as calorie restriction: restrict your calories too much for too long and your body will hold on to more of them (store fat).
Same goes for water.
Before we get into the list of water retention lowering foods, I want you to realize that you should drink MORE water while you’re retaining water.
There are certain foods that are masters at regulating electrolyte balance and providing specific nutrients necessary to maintain proper water regulation.
Below is a list of foods known to prevent and reduce water retention.
1.) Cucumber
The high water and mineral content of cucumber is largely responsible for its therapeutic cleansing and hydrating effects.
Cucumber is a good source of the mineral silica, a component of connective tissue found in the skin. This, combined with cucumber’s high water content, helps to keep skin cells well-nourished and hydrated. Cucumber can also be used topically to relieve various skin afflictions, including puffy eyes and sunburn. The vitamin C and caffeic acid in cucumber, which relieve inflammation and water retention, may explain why it is so effective for the skin.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, C, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, silica, zinc
Learn how the 3-Week Metabolism Diet can help prevent water retention
2.) Tomato
Bursting with vitamin C, tomatoes are packed with lycopene, one of the most potent cancer-fighting phytochemicals.
The exceptional feature of tomatoes is their high concentration of lycopene, a carotenoid compound which gies them their bright color. A higher intake of lycopene in the diet has been associated with reduced risk of several cancers, including prostate, lung, and stomach. It has also been found to protect the skin from sun damage. Tomatoes are rich in potassium, which regulates fluid balance, and are excellent source of vitamin C, which boosts immune system.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, B6, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc; fiber
3.) Celery
Containing concentrates of many amazing therapeutic compounds, just three celery stalks make up one of the five recommended daily portions of fruit and vegetables.
Vital minerals can be lost in the sweat following exercise. Celery juice, with its high concentration of water, potassium, and sodium can help replace this loss of hydrating the body and restoring electrolyte balance. With its rich minerl content celery helps to normalize the body’s acid-alkaline balance. An acidic state caused by stress or eating low-quality foods can lead to numerous health problems. Celery contains coumarins, which enhance immunity and acetylenics, which fight cancer making celery a go to food for boosting metabolic rate and health.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, C, E, K, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, zinc; fiber
4.) Asparagus
High in nutrients and rich in flavor asparagus has many health benefits to offer.
Asparagus is in excellent source of folic acid (which protects against neural tub defects(, and beta-carotene and vitamin C – antioxidant nutrients which help to fight cancer, heart disease, and eye problems. Asparagus also works as a mild diuretic, thanks to its high potassium content and asparagine, an amino acid found in this vegetable.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5 C, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber
5.) Lettuce
Lettuce helps to cleanse the blood, relax the nerves, and eliminate excess fluid.
This leafy vegetable contains a natural sedative called lactucarium, which relaxes the nervous system and induces sleep. To treat insomnia, try drinking lettuce juice before going to bed. With its high potassium content, lettuce is also a milk diuretic, while its chlorophyll helps to detoxify the blood and liver. Other nutrients in lettuce include folic acid, important for preventing birth defects, and beta-carotene and vitamin C, two immunity-boosting vitamins, which help to keep colds at bay.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, C, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silica, zinc
6.) Jerusalem artichoke
Sweet and nutty in flavor, Jerusalem artichokes are an excellent source of slow-releasing energy.
Jerusalem artichoke is rich in inulin, a type of carbohydrate that does not elevate blood sugar levels, making it helpful for diabetics. Inulin also encourages growth of friendly gut bacteria, thereby promoting a healthy digestive system. Nutrient-wise, this vegetable contains good amounts of iron needed for formation of red blood cells, which its potassium content provides a mild diuretic effect.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, C, E, K, beta-carotene; copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium; fiber; protein; carbohydrate
7.) Taro
High in complex carbohydrates, taro makes a taste alternative to rice and potato.
Taro is a small, tropical root vegetable with a mild, nutty flavor. It is an excellent source of energy and is quite low on the glycemic index scale, especially compared to its starchy cousins. It is also a great source of potassium, which helps reduce water retention. Once peeled, taro can be boiled, steamed, or roasted, as well as added to soups or casseroles.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K, beta-carotene, folate; calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; protein; carbohydrate
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8.) Potato
Potatoes are inexpensive, versatile, and packed with health-giving nutrients.
Often demonized for their starchy, high carbohydrate content, potatoes are fattening only if fried in refined vegetable oils. A nutritional powerhouse, potatoes are loaded with metabolism boosting B-vitamins needed for energy metabolism, potassium which helps to regulate the elimination of fluid, and vitamin C, which boosts immunity. They also contain flavonoids, known for their anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as compounds called kukoamines, which regulate blood pressure.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, C, K, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; protein; carbohydrate
9.) Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes add taste, valuable nutrients, and color to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks in between.
Sweet potatoes are best known for their rich concentration of beta-carotene, which is conerted into vitamin A in the body. This nutrient plays an important role in vision, bone growth, reproduction, and keeping the lining of the digestive and respiratory tracts healthy. Sweet potatoes are loaded with potassium, which assists in maintaining electrolyte balance for sustained energy all day. Despite having the word “sweet” in its’ name, they can assist in insulin sensitivity and with stabilizing blood sugar. Controlling your blood sugar and insulin levels is a major contributor to keeping a fast metabolism
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, C, E, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; protein; carbohydrate
10.) Yam
An excellent superfood, yam is a delicious and energy-sustaining slow-releasing carbohydrate.
Yams have a lower glycemic index than potatoes, and provide a sustained flow of energy without the insulin crash you might experience if you’re borderlin diabetic. Yams are high in potassium and low in sodium, which helps to regulate fluid balance Their vitamin C and B6 content and finer all contribute to good health and a fat-burning metabolism.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, C, E, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; carbohydrate
11.) Banana
Loaded with beneficial minerals and nutrients, bananas are the perfect pre or post-workout snack to boost your calorie burn.
Concentrated in easily-digestible carbohydrates, bananas are valued for their instant and sustained energy boost. One of the best sources of potassium, they offer protection against high blood pressure and fluid retention and are particularly useful after a bout of diarrhea, which can cause electrolyte imbalance. Bananas are high in tryptophan, an amino acid that the body converts into serotonin, a brain chemical known to improve mood and encourage relaxation.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins D2, C, beta-carotene, folic acid; calcium, copper, iodine, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; carbohydrate
12.) Dates
Whether fresh or dried, dates are full of natural sweetness, and make a much healthier snack than refined treats loaded with sugars, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners.
Dates are perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth without resorting to sugar. They are an excellent source of potassium, important for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body, and are loaded with fiber, which helps regulate bowel function. The tannin content of dates provides them with an astringent effect, which is of particular benefit for intestinal problems such as diarrhea.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B3, B5, C, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; carbohydrate
13.) Aduki Bean
In Japan, these small, red legumes are known as “the king of beans” and are second only to the soybean in popularity.
Containing more fiber and protein than most beans, adukis are the legumes of choice foe anyone to lose weight by increasing their protein intake. Their high potassium content, which acts as a natural diuretic, adds to this weight-reducing effect by ridding the body of excess fluid.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, E, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc; fiber; protein; carbohydrate
14.) Parsley
There’s much more to parsley than its use as a garnish.
A rich source of cancer fighting antioxidants, including vitamin C and the flavonoid luteolin, parsley has long been used to improve arthritic and rheumatic conditions. It helps to balance fluid levels in the body by increasing potassium balance and encouraging the secretion of sodium and excess water. This makes parsley a natural herbal diuretic and may also help to control high blood pressure.
Health-Promoting Nutrients: Vitamins B1, B3, B5, C, E, K, beta-carotene, biotin, folate; calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc
Most of these foods are easy to incorporate to your healthy fat loss eating program and we actually use all of these in our Flat Belly System 9-week program.
To finish off this quick article I’d like to mention if you are experiencing consistent water retention you might want to learn about the 4 common hormonal imbalances that cause inflammation and weight gain, since they are directly related to water retention.
It’s extremely important to address these imbalances by detoxing your body using this simple 4-step formula so you can effectively get rid of your consistent water retention.
Are you retaining water? Are you eating any of these foods on my list? Have they helped reduce your excess water? Let me know in the comment section!