Wet foods are foods that contain a high volume of water. Wet foods are primarily composed of plant-based foods, including many fruits and vegetables. Foods with a high water content are less calorie-dense: Since much of their weight comes from water, they're great foods to eat when you're trying to fill yourself up with a minimal amount of calories.
Fruits
Watermelon is one of the most water-rich wet foods you can eat, with 97 percent of its weight coming from water. Other fruits that are considered "wet foods" because of their high water content include lemons (96 percent water); limes and papayas (93 percent); strawberries (91 percent); melons and cantaloupes (89 percent); cherries and peaches (87 percent); and apples (86 percent).
Vegetables
Vegetables are the other type of plant-based "wet" food. Some specific vegetables that are considered wet foods are tomatoes (97 percent water); zucchini (95 percent); eggplant (92 percent); red bell peppers (91 percent); carrots and cucumbers (90 percent); and potatoes (around 80 percent).
Soups
Soup is one of the most popular wet foods. According to a study in the October 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating soup was effective in curbing appetite and reducing calorie intake among women participants. All soups are liquid-based (and therefore considered to be wet foods). It's important to check nutrition labels on soups, though, because soups with high sodium content can be detrimental to your health.
Grains and Legumes
Some dry foods like grains and legumes contain spongelike properties that allow them to retain water. One cup of red kidney beans is 77 percent water, for example. Other grains that could be considered wet foods because of their water content include whole-wheat pasta, couscous, whole-wheat bread and lentils.