Summer in India is a sweaty affair. Therefore, it becomes imperative to follow a cooling regimen to beat the heat and keep your system cool. While ‘water’ must become your best friend to fight dehydration, it is just not enough. What many of us fail to realise is that our bodies require a special summer diet as well. Here are some cooling foods that you must have to stay cool this summer.
1.
Watermelon
The benefits of this refreshing and energizing fruit are very well known. Watermelons also happen to be the richest source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals that are induced by UV rays and are responsible for causing sunburn and wrinkles. It also contains vitamin B6 which helps in boosting energy. This delicious and nutritious fruit contains 92 percent of water and 8 per cent sugar, which makes it a must if you want to bump up your fluid intake.
2.
The benefits of this refreshing and energizing fruit are very well known. Watermelons also happen to be the richest source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant that scavenges free radicals that are induced by UV rays and are responsible for causing sunburn and wrinkles. It also contains vitamin B6 which helps in boosting energy. This delicious and nutritious fruit contains 92 percent of water and 8 per cent sugar, which makes it a must if you want to bump up your fluid intake.
2.
Apricots
Summer brings with it a host of skin problems as well. Where acne and skin breakouts become an everyday reality, apricots can come in handy. Apricot consists of iron, vitamin C, potassium and fibre. Due to high fibre content present in apricots, a handful of these also make for a wonderful pre/post-workout snack.
3.
Summer brings with it a host of skin problems as well. Where acne and skin breakouts become an everyday reality, apricots can come in handy. Apricot consists of iron, vitamin C, potassium and fibre. Due to high fibre content present in apricots, a handful of these also make for a wonderful pre/post-workout snack.
3.
Amla
Amlas work as great refresher. Due to its potent anti-oxidants properties, it also helps in reversing the aging process that gets aggravated under the Indian sun. Providing the necessary stamina for workout sessions, amlas also strengthen the heart , hair and several other glands in the body.
4.
Amlas work as great refresher. Due to its potent anti-oxidants properties, it also helps in reversing the aging process that gets aggravated under the Indian sun. Providing the necessary stamina for workout sessions, amlas also strengthen the heart , hair and several other glands in the body.
4.
Buttermilk
As compared to the highly advertised cold drinks, buttermilk hardly receives its due credit. It is one of the healthiest drinks to keep you going during summers. It is the residue left behind after the fat in milk is churned out for preparing butter. It works wonders with digestive issues. A glass of buttermilk a day will help keep dehydration at bay.
5.
As compared to the highly advertised cold drinks, buttermilk hardly receives its due credit. It is one of the healthiest drinks to keep you going during summers. It is the residue left behind after the fat in milk is churned out for preparing butter. It works wonders with digestive issues. A glass of buttermilk a day will help keep dehydration at bay.
5.
Corn
They say, ‘nothing says summer quite like corn on the cob.’ This nutritious vegetable provides fiber, folate, thiamin, phosphorus, vitamin C, and magnesium. Corn helps in the prevention of anemia, which happens due to the deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid. This vegetable also contains significant amount of iron. Iron is one of the important minerals required for the formation of new red blood cells. Corn is a very essential source of energy. As corn is a starchy vegetable, it contains high amount of carbohydrates, providing short term as well as long term energy.
6.
They say, ‘nothing says summer quite like corn on the cob.’ This nutritious vegetable provides fiber, folate, thiamin, phosphorus, vitamin C, and magnesium. Corn helps in the prevention of anemia, which happens due to the deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid. This vegetable also contains significant amount of iron. Iron is one of the important minerals required for the formation of new red blood cells. Corn is a very essential source of energy. As corn is a starchy vegetable, it contains high amount of carbohydrates, providing short term as well as long term energy.
6.
Mangoes
Widely known as the king of fruits, mangoes have proven to provide excellent remedies for heat strokes and exhaustion in summers. Frozen mangoes are one of the easiest and juiciest ways to cool off. It also helps to note that they are packed with nutrients. Mangoes are a great source of zinc, potassium, copper, selenium etc.
7.
Widely known as the king of fruits, mangoes have proven to provide excellent remedies for heat strokes and exhaustion in summers. Frozen mangoes are one of the easiest and juiciest ways to cool off. It also helps to note that they are packed with nutrients. Mangoes are a great source of zinc, potassium, copper, selenium etc.
7.
Kiwis
Kiwifruit is easily available in India. It is a great source of folate, potassium, and a very good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, copper and manganese. Kiwis are rich in Vitamin E and work wonders for the health of our skin during summer.
8.
Kiwifruit is easily available in India. It is a great source of folate, potassium, and a very good source of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, copper and manganese. Kiwis are rich in Vitamin E and work wonders for the health of our skin during summer.
8.
Curds and yoghurts
While curds and yogurt are a popular sight in the Indian households, they also happen to be great and healthy alternative to cold drinks, packed juices and ice-creams. Curds and yoghurts are rich sources of nutrients, vitamins and calcium. They also aid greatly in cooling off when the temperatures soar. These foods are also rich in vitamin B, which helps in soothing and to an extent curing the ulcers, allergies and heat boils that tend to appear during summers.
By Rimme Dirchi
While curds and yogurt are a popular sight in the Indian households, they also happen to be great and healthy alternative to cold drinks, packed juices and ice-creams. Curds and yoghurts are rich sources of nutrients, vitamins and calcium. They also aid greatly in cooling off when the temperatures soar. These foods are also rich in vitamin B, which helps in soothing and to an extent curing the ulcers, allergies and heat boils that tend to appear during summers.
By Rimme Dirchi
