Food plays a pivotal role in keeping us healthy and nourished during the sweltering summer heat. It boots our immunity and keeps away many diseases that swiftly spread during summer. Dysentery, many kinds of fevers, skin diseases, dehydration, eye infections, nausea, exhaustion, lung diseases, allergies and sunstroke are some of the health issues that you could face during the heatwave. Food that is easy on the stomach and digests quickly should be eaten in summer. Make sure to include rice porridge, fruits, vegetables and lots of leafy vegetables in your regular diet. It is better to eat food in small portions at regular intervals to improve digestion.
Food that should be strictly included in your summer diet:
1) Fruits like oranges, grapes, lemons, pineapple, watermelon, sweet lime, mangoes and strawberries that contain vitamin C
2) Plantains keep the body cool
3) Soybeans and pluses should be eaten
4) Microgreens are excellent during the summer
5) Vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkin, ash gourd, snake gourd, ivy gourd, beans and carrots should be consumed daily
6) Drinks that would cool and refresh your body:
7) Lemonade made with fresh lemon juice and a bit of salt and sugar could be sipped throughout the day. This refreshes the body while keeping away exhaustion.
8) Make sure to drink lots of clean boiled water (at least 14 – 16 glasses). Warm water could improve digestion and prevent dryness of the skin.
8) Curd, fresh fruit juices, buttermilk, tender coconut water and rice water too could be enjoyed in summer.
Avoid these to stay healthy during summer:
1) Try avoiding meat as much as possible
2) Meat and oily food may not be ideal during summer
3) Say ‘no’ to soft drinks, carbonated drinks, tea, coffee, packaged food and fried food
4) Alcohol should be strictly avoided
5) Stay away from leftover food or refrigerated food
6) Fruits and vegetables should be eaten only after washing them properly.
7) Try to eat small portions of food to avoid overeating
