10 Foods You Should Eat In Summer

Monday, May 4, 2020, 19:52

With the summer heat dehydrating our bodies, it is necessary to eat foods packed with great amounts of micronutrients and macronutrients.

In summers, we tend to sweat a lot making us feel dehydrated and also we experience low energy levels which make us feel sluggish. Hence, it is important that we take care of our bodies by eating the right kind of foods.

Here, we have listed down the foods to eat in summer.

1. Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the most preferred fruits eaten during the hot summer months. It has a high water content that will help keep your body cool and hydrated. In addition, watermelon is packed with a good amount of nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C and magnesium [1].

Tip: Have watermelon in the form of salad, juice or sherbet to get most of the nutrients.

2. Mango

Summers are incomplete without mangoes, and why not, they are one of the juiciest and healthiest fruits that can keep many health problems at bay. Mangoes contain an abundance of nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, calcium, vitamin B6 and magnesium [2].

Tip: You can enjoy mango on its own, as a fruit salad or a juice.

3. Tomatoes

While tomatoes are packed with antioxidants and nutrients, they contain a beneficial phytochemical called lycopene that protects the skin from damage caused by the ultraviolet rays of the sun [3].

Tip: Add tomato slices in your salad or add it in a sandwich.

4. Cucumber

Cucumber is high in important nutrients, antioxidants and contains a good amount of water and soluble fibre. The high water content in cucumber makes it an ideal food to eat during the hot summer months [4].

Tip: Make cucumber salad, salsa or have it as a juice.

5. Curd

Curd promotes healthy digestion, improves immunity and provides a healthy and glowing skin. Curd, when consumed, has a cooling effect on the body, which is the reason it is most consumed in summer.

Tip: Add curd in your smoothie or have it as a dessert.

6. Green leafy vegetables

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and lettuce are a powerhouse of nutrients and high in water content and upon consumption will keep your body cool and hydrated during the summer months.

Tip: Add green leafy veggies in your salad. Avoid overcooking these vegetables as the water content can be lost.

7. Celery

Celery also has high water content and contains a great amount of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin K and folate that will keep you going during the hot summer months.

Tip: Chop up some celery and add it in your salad.

8. Muskmelon

Muskmelon should be a part of your diet in summer because it is high in water content and possesses essential vitamins and minerals. Consumption of muskmelon will keep you healthy and hydrated in summer.

Tip: You can enjoy muskmelon on its own or have it as a fruit salad.

9. Berries

Berries such as raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants that will help strengthen your immune system and keep you healthy during the summers.

Tip: Enjoy berries on their own or you can make berry smoothie.

10. Citrus fruits

Citrus fruits like lime, lemon, oranges, grapefruit and pomelos are rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients that will strengthen your immune system and keep your body hydrated at the same time [5].

Tip: You can enjoy orange, grapefruit and pomelos on their own. You can make lime or lemon juice with a dash of mint leaves.

Common FAQs

1. What should you not eat in hot weather?

Avoid eating fried foods, coffee, tea, cocktails and hot dogs as they increase the heat in the body, which in turn may cause indigestion or irritate your stomach.

2. What should I eat when working in extreme heat?

Have cantaloupe, watermelon, berries, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables as they are a powerhouse of nutrients and will also keep your body hydrated.