Come summers, temperatures begin to rise leaving everyone feeling hot, flustered, fatigued and sweaty. As the weather turns sultry, our body tends to lose water at a faster pace due to excessive sweating. When we are out in the sun, our faces feel inflamed and eyes burn. Our brain cells start dehydrating and shrinking due to less water, leading to migraines and headaches. The risk for a stroke at these times increases because inflammation in blood vessels is at a high.
It is of utmost importance to cool ourselves down on a regular basis as one tends to lose a lot of minerals and salts in our body due to constant perspiration. Confining ourselves indoors in an airconditioned room all the time is easier said than done; one has to step out either to go to work or run chores or even for emergencies.
Staying hydrated is top priority
As the temperatures rise, so do our cravings for refreshing and cool beverages. Moreover, the sweltering heat makes us short tempered and cranky as we desperately try and lay our hands on anything and everything that would help quench our thirst. However, reaching out for synthetic cold drinks is a strict no-no because they raise our risk of obesity and cancer.
The best way to keep ourselves going is to opt for the right foods and drinks which not only help us stay cool but also help maintain good health. There are tons of juices, smoothies and other types of drinks and finger food that we can consume; all one needs to do is head for the fresh fruits and vegetables section next time you go out shopping!
Beat the heat with fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables
Cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots and green vegetables are a healthy way to deal with hot summers. Add a big bowl of salads to your meals along with some fresh yoghurt – a sure shot way to beat the heat! Experiment with fresh fruits and vegetables; try out new combinations such as melons with boiled potatoes or cucumbers with peanuts – these would not just add a much-needed variety to your meals but also make menu planning a fun task rather than a boring chore. Incidentally, onions and bitter gourd are a great cure for heat strokes!
Apart from salads, try our different smoothies; all market shelves are loaded with fresh and juicy summer fruits which have ample water content such as watermelons, mangoes, papayas, litchees, grapes, muskmelons, strawberries,bananas and the like.
Go desi – the Indian way
When it comes to summer coolers, none can beat what our grandmas churned out! From sherbets to lassis and aam panna to chaach; these were all staple diet during our growing up years. Not to forget the different concoctions made with sattu and bel. And of course, nothing was cooler and more refreshing than fresh coconut water and nimbu paani. Yet another trick up grandams sleeve involved consuming tulsi seeds soaked in milk; tulsi seeds are natural heat-busters and help maintain optimal body temperature even in the blazing sun.
As we welcome summers, let us refresh and replenish our body with some of the coolest summer food and drinks. While water works best when it comes to quenching our thirst, we can always try out other beverages and food items that not only keep our body hydrated but are also a much healthier option to processed food and fizzy drinks