Diet tips: 10 foods that secretly dehydrate you in summer months

By Namita S Kalla | May 5, 2025

Diet tips: 10 foods that secretly dehydrate you in summer months

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Chips, namkeen, and salted peanuts contain high sodium that pulls water from your cells, making you feel thirstier and bloated

Chips and namkeen

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Refined carbs like white bread break down into sugar quickly, increasing water loss during digestion. Choose multigrain bread instead

White bread

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Packed with synthetic proteins and sodium, these bars often act like dehydrating agents. Try homemade energy balls with dates

Protein bars

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Samosas, pakoras, and fries are delicious but heavy in oil and salt, which worsen dehydration. Go for dhokla or idli instead

Fried foods

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Loaded with sodium and additives, instant noodles dry out your system. Replace them with wheat pasta tossed in fresh tomato sauce

Instant noodles

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Achar and other fermented sides are extremely salty and sap your body’s moisture. Limit their quantity and use fresh chutneys

Pickles

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Tea, coffee, and energy drinks increase urination, speeding up fluid loss. Limit intake and opt for infused water, coconut water

Caffeinated drinks

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Cakes, muffins, and pastries are high in sugar and refined flour, both increase dehydration. Replace with fruit-sweetened treats

Bakery goods

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Hot sauces and spicy chutneys trigger sweating and water loss. Mild yogurt dips or mint-coriander chutney offer refreshing flavour

Spicy sauces

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Alcohol is a diuretic, leading to rapid water loss and fatigue. If drinking, match each glass with water or choose mocktails 

Alcohol buzz

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