Cool off this Hot Hot Summer
In India, the summer season is generally long and harsh and I guess this season is hated by almost everyone except for the sight of juicy ripe mangoes and luscious water melons. The eating pattern and digestion change during summers and our metabolism becomes slow so the calories are not burnt off efficiently.
During the daytime, we take in a lot of fluids to replenish us but be careful they should not be laden with sugary drinks which have no nutrients, just the empty calories.
Tips to banish summer woes:
- Start your day with warm water with a dash of lemon to get rid of the toxins.
- Go for a sumptuous but refreshing breakfast that include lots of fruits and a whole wheat toast. Ripe summer fruits such as melons, watermelons and peaches are excellent.
- Consume lots of leafy lettuce and cucumbers in salads to stay cool.
- Take a lot of raw onion or onion slices dipped in vinegar as onion has the ability to beat the heat and provide relief from summer ailments.
- Have liberal amounts of aam panna, mint tea as they are very good heat relievers.
- Avoid non-vegetarian foods during summers as they are heat-producing foods.
- Have less of chilly and spicy foods.
- Consume fried and oily foods in limited quantities.
- Hydrate yourself well with plenty of fluids such as plain water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, green tea etc.
- Go easy on probiotics like yogurt as they have a healthy gut bacteria to relieve off any stomach ailments.
- Have less of tea and caffeinated beverages as they produce heat in the body.
- Have a light and healthier dinner to have a peaceful and easy sleep without getting up with lethargy and sleep such as oats porridge with milk and chopped fruits or have oats poha with a lots of veggies.
- For water retention , avoid salt at night.
- Last, but not the least, wear loose, light colored cotton clothes and avoid going in the sun from 11-4pm.
