In many natural health sciences, such as Ayurveda, different body types (constitutions) are required to eat differently to keep their bodies functioning at their best and to keep disease at bay.
If you have a naturally warm constitution (called “pitta” in Ayurveda) you can find summers particularly challenging. Excessive heat in the body can lead to a whole host of imbalanced states such as lack of sleep, headaches, high blood pressure, inflammation, and so on. Below are some tips for eating in the summer and staying cool through healthy eating. Healthy nutrition bars are also a great option for helping you eat light during the summer and they are easy to carry.
1. Eat Raw Fruits and Vegetables with a High Water Content
Most raw fruits and vegetables are naturally cooling to the body. Some of the best naturally available raw cool foods that you can eat include cucumbers, watermelons, apples, radishes, green leafy vegetables, berries, cantaloupe, and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons. If you find it challenging to consume them on their own, think about incorporating them into your own custom-made juices or smoothies.
2. Drink Lots of Fluids
Water is the healthiest drink that you can consume throughout the day to keep you from dehydrating. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go so you will remember to guzzle. If you find it hard to drink water on its own, you can add a slice of fruit for flavor or a small teaspoon of fruit syrup or sherbet for taste. Alternatively, make use of fresh fruit and vegetable juices. In general, it is best to avoid drinks like coffee which add to the heat generated internally within the body.
3. Avoid These Foods
Some foods overload the system and can make you uncomfortable, particularly during hotter months, so they are not the best choices for eating in the summer. These foods are not the healthiest foods to eat in general. Avoid processed, high-sugar, high-fat foods, and eat foods that are as natural and unprocessed as possible. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
4. Cooking Methods for Optimising Nutrition in Summer Foods
Stick to steaming and stir-frying to preserve nutrients. Add a greater proportion of raw foods to your diet. Avoid deep-frying and pressure cooking.
5. The Power of Herbs
Certain herbs such as nettles, mint, lemongrass, chickweed, plantain leaf, dandelion greens, cilantro, hibiscus, lemon balm, raspberry leaf, and peppermint, have a general cooling effect on the body. Herbs are one food type that can be very creatively used to enhance flavors or bring new tastes to your meals. Sprinkle herbs onto your salads or stews or blend with juices. Use herb infusions as part of your tea rituals to create a calm, restful, and relaxed state of mind.
6. Other Summer Food Ideas
Remember to keep things light during the summer. Eat more raw foods and less cooked foods. Cooked foods tend to exert unnecessary pressure on the digestive system and can make the process of staying cool and feeling relaxed a lot harder.
Also, eat smaller meals or less frequently to help your digestive system adapt optimally to the changing climate. Healthy nutrition bars by PureFit will help you to do this. Balanced eating is especially important during the summer to prevent dehydration and to help sustain energy levels all day long.
