Nikki Yelton is an Integrative & Functional Medicine Registered Dietitian Nutritionist serving clients worldwide. She offers a personalized functional medicine approach to helping women with GI distress and autoimmune conditions to get to the root cause of the symptoms holding them back so that they can start living the extraordinary life they dream of with more energy, purpose, and joy!
This Watermelon Salad is jam packed with fresh hydrating foods that are a sure-fire way to get your minerals in and get hydrated!
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This watermelon salad recipe I have in store for you is perfect for this summer heat we’ve been experiencing!
When the weather gets hot, I always recommend staying as hydrated as possible. We’re sweating much more, which means we’re losing more water than we do during the rest of the year.
Proper hydration is so essential for healthy gut function and protection against autoimmunity. When dehydration kicks in, the body is prone to autoimmune flares and digestive issues.
If you find yourself feeling headachy, fatiguey and weak or if that midafternoon slump hits you hard, it’s time to hydrate ASAP!
You might be surprised to learn that it’s not only important how MUCH water you drink, but also whether your body is properly absorbing that water to keep you hydrated.
Electrolyte balance is crucial to water absorption and is a highly overlooked aspect of hydration that is just as essential!
Your body needs minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium to properly absorb hydration and restore electrolytes. But unfortunately, these minerals are depleted from our soil, food, and even water supply.
Luckily, there are ways to replenish these minerals and ensure you’re getting enough electrolytes to stay hydrated…
This is why hydrating foods are KEY when it comes to hydration!
Many whole food sources provide a hefty dose of water. Hydrating foods can actually be MORE hydrating than water because of the essential minerals and vitamins that they contain.
Here’s where this week’s recipe comes in:
This Watermelon Cucumber Salad is jam packed with fresh and delicious hydrating foods that are a sure-fire way to get your minerals in, get hydrated, and STAY hydrated.
Watermelon and cucumber are two of the most hydrating food sources out there! They’re actually about 90-95% water.
Sea salt contains healthy minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium. PLUS it’s made with little processing as it comes from ocean water or salt water lakes.
Plus we’ve got extra virgin olive oil for healthy fats, fresh squeezed lime which is excellent for digestion, plus mint and feta for extra flavor and texture!
This Watermelon Salad is jam packed with fresh hydrating foods that are a sure-fire way to get your minerals in and get hydrated!
Ingredients
Scale
1 tbsp Maple Syrup
1/4 Lime (juiced)
1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/8 tsp Sea Salt
1/4 Seedless Watermelon (diced into cubes)
1/2 Cucumber (diced)
1/2 cup Mint Leaves
1/2 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
Instructions
In a small mason jar, combine maple syrup, lime juice, olive oil and salt. Cover with lid, shake to combine and set aside.
In a serving bowl, combine chopped watermelon, cucumber, mint and feta.
Divide into bowls and drizzle with desired amount of dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
Make it Greek: Add thinly sliced red onion and black olives.
More Protein: Add ground flax, hemp hearts or serve with a grilled chicken breast.
More Greens: Add more fresh herbs, arugula or chopped basil.
Watermelon Size: This recipe was developed and tested using a 5 lb. watermelon.
The ingredients in this recipe contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in addition to a whole lot of water to keep you hydrated AND full of nutrients.
It’s so important to incorporate foods in your diet that are not only hydrating, but also provide the properties that help with absorption!
I’m so excited for you to try this hydrating Watermelon Cucumber Salad! If you make or plan to make this recipe, let me know in the comments down below!
"When it comes to balancing our body, healing the gut, reversing autoimmunity, and achieving optimal health—we are a lot like a car that won’t run right. In order to fix the problem once and for all instead of relying on jumper cables, we must get underneath the hood, run the diagnostics, and replace the battery so that it runs good as new."
-Nikki Yelton, RD
a note from nikki:
If you are ready to stop wasting precious time, get off the never-ending hamster wheel, and finally surrender trying to figure things out on your own—this is your moment.
You don’t have to settle for just getting by and hoping tomorrow is a better day. We both know you are a woman who deserves better and are made for so. much. more.
are you ready?
Ready to resolve your GI distress, reverse autoimmunity, and live your extraordinary life?
