What do I need to eat this Summer?
There are many things worth celebrating about summers. You can eat ice cream and mangoes, ohh… who wouldn’t like to eat these tasty treats? You can also enjoy the rain. And also, you don’t have to wear layers upon layers of clothes, no worries to wash them, and no problems like shuddering endlessly in the chilly winter winds.
But summer comes with its own long list of problems to deal with like humidity, harmful UV rays, dehydration, and last but not least scorching summer heat.
So, here I have a list of food that would help you in dealing with the scorching heat and dehydration problems of the summer season.
Fruits
- Watermelon – Watermelon is a seasoned fruit that is available for a short period of time in summer. It contains 91.45% water and can help in fulfilling the body’s water needs. It is also loaded with antioxidants properties and a wonderful cooling effect.
- Melons – Melons also contain a huge percentage of water and help with the water requirements of the body along with giving the body a cooling and refreshing effect and keeping it hydrated.
- Oranges – Oranges are a sweet, tangy, citrus, potassium-rich treat for your body. You can lose a considerate amount of potassium through sweat in summer which can lead to muscle cramps. Oranges can be a great supply for potassium as well as water as it contains 80% of water. So, it will keep you hydrated and cramp-free.
- Strawberries & Blueberries – Berries are just as healthy as tasty and beautiful they are. They are sweet, juicy, and packed with powerful disease fighters. They increase blood flow to the skin and decrease sensitivity to light which results in improved skin texture and structure. In summers when you have to spend hours in the sunlight, these berries come in very handy.
- Blackberries & Raspberries – These are the berries which are great source of fiber. They also have very high amounts of vitamin C.
Raspberries help in purifying the blood and detoxifying the body by cleansing the liver, the kidneys and reinvigorating the digestive and circulatory system.
Vegetables
- Tomatoes – Apart from being filled with antioxidants and Vitamin C, tomatoes also contain beneficial phytochemicals like lycopene, which helps fight chronic diseases – especially prostate cancer.
- Onions – Onions are loaded with quercetin which is said to be a natural anti-allergen. Onions also help against the scorching heat of the sun. Onions have cooling properties too, so, it is a good choice in summers but eating them raw might ruin your taste. So, you can toss them in salads and top them off with a little lemon or maybe put them in curries, vegetables, and raita.
- Celery – Celery has 95% water content and it also contains essential nutrients that are very much needed to keep you going in the summer heat. Celery is also loaded with iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, calcium, and zinc.
- Green Leafy Vegetables – Consuming green leafy vegetables around the year is very beneficial. And these vegetables should be added to your daily diet but eating green leafy vegetables in summer especially is beneficial because of its water contents and it should not be overcooked.
5. Mint – Mint is a very inexpensive leafy vegetable that has cooling properties and that is why used a lot in summer. It can be added to curd, “chaach”, raita or you can make chutney from it and it will go well with almost everything as a side dish with your food. It gives a cooling and refreshing effect to the body.
What Else?
- Curd – Curd gives a coolant effect to the body and it can also be consumed in different varieties like spicy lassi or sweet lassi or raita. Other options to have your curd are by adding seasonal fruits to it or by making smoothies.
- Coconut Water – Coconut water is the best, ‘not so expensive ‘ drink for summers that is also easily available. It had all the essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and cooling properties that help in the hot weather.
- Lime Water – Lime water also referred to as ‘Nimbu paani’ is also a very refreshing summer drink that gives a cooling effect to the body and fulfills the water requirements of the body. It is tasty and healthy and keeps you refreshed.
- Yogurt – Yogurt is a protein-packed, low in fat delight for your tummy. In the summer season when you cannot eat heavy or fried food easily without feeling dehydrated or little nausea due to the heat. Yogurt is a lightweight food that will fill your stomach even in less consumption.
- Green Tea – There are different types of tea and all of them has their own health benefits. Green tea is a great option to keep your body hydrated. Studies show that green tea can also help fight cancer and heart disease, lowering cholesterol and revving metabolism. And if you don’t like your tea hot well you can have iced green tea too. Works the same…trust me!
I hope this article was useful for you and worth your time.
