Need to cool off? Here are some heat wave-friendly snacks

Staying cool is more than turning on the AC and drinking lots of water. What you eat can also make a difference.

Let’s face it, you can only drink so much water to stay hydrated. University of Washington dietitian Kelly Morrow said certain foods like cucumbers and melons can do the same job, too.

“The thing about cucumbers and melons, they have that thick rind,” Morrow said. “They also have a lot of water in them so it’s a great source of hydration.”

Even summer fruits like apricots, peaches, and berries are great sources that help with hydration. They also provide sodium and potassium — minerals that we lose through sweating.

And if spicy foods are your thing, Morrow said the heat will help you sweat and cool off.

“Tomatoes are a good source of potassium; it’s got salts in it so that helps with minerals. It’s also spicy, so that can help with some sweating and basically releasing some heat from our body.”

Morrow's pro tip: Cut watermelon into pieces and freeze them. She likes to freeze grapes, too. Both are cooling and hydrating on a hot day.

What’s your secret food to keep cool? We’d love to hear from you!