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Summer Foods

Summers are going to get hotter. Going by predictions, this year is going to be one of the hottest summers ever. Until we get hold of the relentless, ongoing pollution and decrease in levels of global warming, all we can do is equip ourselves with foods which can help us beat the heat.

Common problems during summer:

BEWARE OF:

Heat Cramps; Heat exhaustion; Heat Stroke.

In intense heat, our bodies feel listless and tired because of loss of fluid, salt and minerals through sweat. These need to be replenished quickly. An effective way of doing it is to increase your intake of foods with minerals and a high water content to balance the deficit in the body.

MUST HAVES:

The summer foods should fulfill three important criteria:

Have a good water content; Packed with minerals; Should be easy to digest

Barley: Barley water is used as a soothing, cooling and calming recipe for patients having feverish conditions and gastric upsets.

Bael: The unripe Bael is most prized as a means of halting diarrhea and dysentery, which are prevalent in India in the summer months

Chilled soups: On a hot summer day, boiling hot soups are unappealing and unappetizing.

Cucumber: Cucumbers are very low in calories but high on water making them ideal food choice in summer.

Yohurt: It provides you with friendly bacteria called probiotics which provides immunity against stomach infections which are common during the hot season.

Guava: It is ideal fruit during the hot season because of its bacteria busting properties.

Iced Tea: It is a refreshing drink. Besides cooling and hydrating your body it is full of antioxidants, which retards oxidative damage.

Juices: They are cooling and as well as nourishing. They are nutrient dense beverage providing vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. They keep us hydrated and detoxed.

Lemon: Lemons are a boon during summer. It can, protect your body from getting several summer related ailments like boils, etc. lemon and honey combination has the power of instantly replenishing your body’s lost water and also work as energizers.

Mango: Mangoes are full packed with vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and contain like all fruits very few proteins and fats.

Mint: Mint also contains a wide range of essential minerals such as manganese, copper, iron, potassium and calcium.

Melon Mania: Both Watermelon and musk melon are a store house of water. These fruits have thirst quenching properties.

Onion: The best summer diet solution would be to include large salads in your diet, onions are just great in summer, people of all hot countries in the world, include onion in their diets because of ability of onions to beat the heat and provide relief from summer ailments.

Salt: Adequate salt consumption is essential to cover for loss of minerals, salts and sugar through perspiration.

Water: It is an ideal coolant. Summer takes away all moisture inside our body, leaving it short on its regular water levels, therefore care should be taken to include those foods in our diets that offer lots of water as well as cool our bodies considerably. Getting plenty of fluids is essential to feeling energized, when the heat takes a toll on you.

BEWARE OF:

Beverages: Avoid alcoholic beverages, caffeinated drinks like colas and coffee, which has diuretic properties causing further fluid loss.

Summer cocktails: Anything from ice cream drinks, iced coffee and margaritas to tropical cocktails is a potential calorie landmine. So, if you think of hydrating yourself with such fares, consider the calories.

Ice- Creams: When the weather warms up, ice cream is among the first things that pop into our minds. Ice-creams are calorie dense, high in saturated fat and can increase cholesterol. Have low-fat, low- sugar gelatos or frozen yogurt instead of full fat ice creams.
The sultry, sticky heat kills our appetite and is a blessing in disguise for those who are trying to shed weight. So, make the best out of this summer with a wide array of low fat fruits and vegetable choices.