Eat wisely to keep cool
Avoid spices, raw foods
With the temperatures rising by the day, the trick to keeping cool is to eat wisely.
Heat and humidity makes you lethargic, wantimg to flop down somewhere cool and hibernate. But you won’t go far in life if you give in to that temptation. To get that zip back into your life even in the most sweltering times, eat foods that are easy to digest. Keep away from rich, greasy foods as they are difficult to digest and will make you even more lethargic, says Nafeesa Ahmed, Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Management, Zulekha Hospital. Opt for foods that are low in calories and cut down on spices. Avoid raw foods such as sushi or Middle Eastern meat-rich dishes that are eaten raw.
What does that leave me with, you wonder. A whole of wonderful foods, is the answer.
The obvious dietary choice during summer are fruits and vegetables which are not only full of nutrients but are hydrating as well as they have good amount of water in them. “Cooking simple dishes and eating foods in moderation, at the right time in right combinations, will keep your bodiy well hydrated and healthy,” says Nafeesa.
Proteins too are a no-no in summer as they will likely give you heart burn and indigestion.
Also be wary of fast foods that are reheated as they could contain harmful bacteria. All frozen foods that aree thawed for cooking need to be handled with care.
All fresh foods, that are pre-chopped, such as onions and salad leaves also should be preferably avoided as the heat may take away their freshness.
Another area to pay attention to is while transporting fresh produce from the supermarket to your home. Do not leave frozen foods and even raw foods in the heat of the car for long.
When it comes to intake of fluids, Nafeesa has a word of caution for those who have epilepsy, heart, kidney or liver disease or are on a fluid-restricted diet or have a problem with water retention. They should consult a physician before increasing their fluid consumption, she advises. Also, people should avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
