Water from everyday foods

Top 12 foods rich in water.pdf

The water content of fruits and vegetables.pdf

We get about a third of the water we need from "solid" foods, and it's amazing how much water they contain. Fruits and vegetables have the largest contribution, but meat, fish, bread and dairy products also make a significant contribution.

Bread - most types of bread contain about 38% water. The leavened bread contains 29%, and the unleavened bread only 10%. Simple unleavened and cream biscuits contain about 4% water, and those for digestion 3%. Cheese pie and raisin pudding contain about 38%.

Dairy products - soft cheese contains about 58% water, hard cheese 38%, and soft cheese, about 50%. Butter and margarine contain about 16%, and dietary substitutes about 50%. Milk has about 90% water. Cream has between 48% and 79% water.

Fish and seafood - the water percentage of different fish is similar. Cod, haddock, turbot, bream and trout have about 75%. Seafood usually contains up to 85% more water. Anchovy has 42%, and mackerel 47%.

Fruits - the edible parts of most fruits usually contain about 70-80% water. Melons contain a high percentage, generally about 90%. Dried fruits, such as raisins and dates, have 16% and 12%, respectively.

Jams  - honey has 23% water, and fruit jam and lemon jelly have about 30%. The jam with a low sugar content has a higher percentage of water, about 65%. The jam has 28%, and the golden syrup only 20%.

Meat, including poultry - most steaks have about 50% water. Poultry usually contains more, the typical percentage being 65-70%. The salami contains only 28% water. The water content of the ham varies between 13% and 67%. Sausages have between 45% and 54% water.

Vegetables - vegetables contain the highest percentage of water. Cucumbers contain 96% and tomatoes 93%, while spinach, carrots and broccoli 89%.