Summer is that time of the year when cotton clothes, cool drinks and chilled foods make an appearance everywhere but at the same time we have to be very cautious about our intake. We can beat the heat to some extent if we include or avoid certain foods in our intake.

Naturopathy

Nature has given her natural pharmacy to us in the form of seasonal foods. This is the season for grapes, mangoes, watermelon, sapodilla (or chiku as we call it) etc as they have high moisture content. Regular intake of these fruits during the hot summer months will definitely keep you cool and refreshed. One should eat plenty of green and leafy vegetables, sprouts, cucumber (they have the power to maintain salt levels in the body), bottle gourds (or lauki), ridge gourds (or torai), spinach, amla, mint, lettuce, cabbage, mushroom, tomatoes and fresh juices and other healthy fluids like chilled lassi, lemon juice with a bit of honey, tender coconut water, green tea, herbal tea, vegetable juice, etc. These are not only refreshing but nutritious as well. The food items which are in the color of Red, Yellow and Orange protects the skin from the Ultra Violet rays.

Steer them clear

As the temperature goes up we tend to indulge more in chilled drinks but too much of sweet beverage and chilled ones will increase the weight so it’s best to have these less. You might be in love non-vegetarian food but you need to reduce its intake as Egg, chicken etc increases the body temperature and extra heat is the last thing you want. One should never forget to take adequate liquid to prevent dry skin and enjoy your summer.

Have a healthy diet to not only make summer less unbearable but even pleasant. So, eat right, work better and look best.