Diet tips for Summers

• Load up on fluids , mostly just water

This one is obvious, but it can’t be repeated enough. In hot summer weather your body is prone to dryness as water is literally evaporating off of you. So even more than usual, keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

If plain water seems too boring, add a couple of slices of cucumber, a few berries, a squirt of lemon, or a few sprigs of lemon balm to keep you coming back for more.

A word of caution: Sweetened beverages, colas, fruit juices and energy drinks with their high sugar content dehydrate the body further and should not be used to stock up on fluids. Say no to all forms of packed drinks and stick to plain, clean water.Some other good options can be thin buttermilk, fresh lime (no sugar) and just green tea.

• Gorge on watery vegetables like cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, celery, spinach, tomatoes, lemon, goose berry, gaurds and pumpkin

Raw vegetables are always cooling, but with their watery nature, these veggies are especially good at bringing your temperature down. Eat them raw or cooked mildly with very little oil and spices.

• Your best bet for a snack – a Fruit like watermelon, honey dew, apples, papaya, citrus fruits, and berries

Just like raw vegetables, fruits are almost always cooling to the system. You can eat them directly as a snack or dessert, make a smoothie, or add them to your water for a tasty refreshing experience.And with all their fibre, antioxidants and healty sugars…they also keep your weight in check!!

• Cool down with herbs

Make Lemongrass, mint, coriander, plantain leaf, cilantro, lemon balm and peppermint a part of your shopping list. These are just a few of the herbs that are known to bring your body’s heat response down to a cooler state. These herbs can be a creative and refreshing addition to many of your favorite summertime recipes

• Eat less animal products, and avoid alcohol, coffee, processed sugar, soda-pop and cigarettes.

When the weather is hot, your body shouldn’t have to work too hard to process what you put into it. Give yourself a break by sticking to lighter ingredients like fruits and vegetables, and avoid foods like meat, dairy, alcohol, coffee, and processed foods that can contribute to inflammation.

• Steam, simmer, stir-fry, and use more raw foods, and avoid baking, and deep-frying methods.

Slow cooked meals are great in the colder months, but should be avoided in spring and summer. Instead of eating pastry, naan, mughlai cuisine, heavy desserts such as choclate cake, laddoos, take the warm weather as an opportunity to enjoy more salads, fluids, fruits and quickly cooked meals lake a lentil rice based meal. 

Stay COOL and keep Chilling!!