Summer is here and that means, hot weather! If you’re like me, being hot isn’t fun at all. Although, it is a great excuse to eat ice cream, I need a cheaper alternative for summer foods.
Here are 6 summer foods that will cool down your body and keep you hydrated!
Watermelon
Watermelons are a great source of water, which is especially helpful when it’s hot outside. They’re low in calories and contain vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. Watermelon also contains lycopene—a red pigment that may help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause inflammation and lead to heart disease). This juicy fruit is rich in antioxidants such as beta carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin and vitamin C. With a high water content (around 92%), it’s no surprise that this fruit eases thirst during the summer heat!
Curd
Yogurt is a yummy and ideal summer foods that you can have as a snack or use as an ingredient in your cooking. Curd is also known as yogurt and it is made by fermenting milk with bacteria or yeast, which removes some of its lactose (sugar). It’s high in protein, calcium and vitamin B12.
Barley
Barley is a good source of fiber, which can help you feel full and keep you regular. It’s also packed with B vitamins, which are great for your skin and hair. Plus, barley can be used to make beer or eaten as a cereal!
If you’re looking to take advantage of this superfood (or are just trying to eat something other than hot dogs at a cookout), try blending up some barley with water and ice cubes in your blender or food processor so it turns into what resembles an icy cold smoothie that even kids will love enjoying on the patio before dinner. Or try prepping it in advance by cooking the grain then stirring it into salads when you’re ready for lunch or dinner (just don’t forget about those toppings).
Coconut water
Coconut water is one of the best ways to cool down your body in summer. It is a natural electrolyte that helps in rehydrating your body after a workout or during excessive sweating.
Coconut water contains high levels of potassium, which help stabilize blood pressure and heart rate during intense workouts. It also retains essential amino acids and minerals such as magnesium, zinc and iron that are lost during intense exercise.
Bel Sharbat
Bel Sharbat is a refreshing drink that is very popular in the summer. It is a mixture of water, sugar and lemon juice.
To make it, boil water along with sugar until it becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add lemon juice to this mixture and let it cool down before serving cold.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has gotten you excited about eating more cooling foods. The good news is that there are so many delicious options, whether you want to eat them for breakfast or snack on them in the afternoon. The next time you’re shopping in the supermarket (or at your local farmers market!) be sure to pick up some of these tasty fruits and vegetables. Keep them around so they’re easy to grab when you need a quick cool down!
