Cool Foods For Summer Of 2015

With the mercury levels rising to new highs every day, summer seems to completely drain us out. Temperatures have been scorching high and humidity levels are ever increasing. Most of us feel dehydrated and low on energy in such a climate and we look for ways to cool ourselves.
Our body needs cooling foods that will balance our diet and keep our energy levels stable. Excessive heat, for instance, can seriously upset the body, causing irritability; sleep problems, exhaustion and lack of concentration, among other things. But food and drink have a big part to play in helping your body keep cool and healthy during the heat. Here's what to stock in your fridge to survive the sizzling temperatures.  

To begin with the Salad category one should go in for baked potato or pasta salad: Carbohydrate-rich foods can help to combat heat exhaustion. Starchy carbohydrate snacks during the day, such as pitta bread, to keep your body's blood-sugar and energy levels even. Other ideal carbohydrate foods include baked beans, rice, fruit, yoghurt and milk. And one can eat spicy curries and chillies as it can stimulate heat receptors in the mouth, enhance circulation and cause sweating, which cools the body down. With mangoes all around, go in for Raw Mango Sesame Salad with peanut powder and tinch of jaggery. A light french dressing will go well with it.

Curd is a delicious coolant. You can make delicious - chilled spicy buttermilk, a glass of lassi or chachh and raita .Fruit with yoghurt is an ideal combination for breakfast in really hot weather. Fruits, which has a high water content, will help maintain your body fluid. Bio yoghurts can promote friendly gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. An inexpensive coconut is full of health benefits and has wonderful cooling properties. It is laden with simple sugars, electrolytes and essential minerals which help keep the body well hydrated. In addition to that, there is evidence to suggest that coconut water has cancer fighting and anti-ageing properties as well

Coming to snacks section Dips like Tzatziki, a Greek dip that combines yoghurt and cucumber, which has a water content of about 96.4 per cent. It works excellent with nachos, chips, snacks etc. It a major hit amongst kids with craving for chips. Mint: Although mint does not cool the whole body down it is cooling on the tongue and therefore tastes refreshing in hot weather. One can always go in for a Virgin/Non virgin mojito to quench thirst especially with a dash of mint leaves. Onions: especially red ones contains a chemical called quercetin which is believed to have an anti-histamine effect. Histamine is the irritant that causes heat rashes and adverse reactions to insect bites and stings, so eating onions daily may help to ease these summer complaints. Make sure to use eat onions more in its raw form in summers.

Amngst fruits Melons & Bananas: a rich source of potassium, which helps to regulate body fluid lost through excessive sweating. Other potassium-rich foods are green vegetables, baked beans, dried fruit and cereal. Bring home a watermelon, cool it and have lots of it to benefit from the antioxidants present in this delicious fruit.  

Green Vegetables are good to have round the year, it is good to have lots of them during the summer months because they have a high water content. One should avoid overcooking/boiling/steaming them because that can cause a loss of water contained therein. For Non veg selection, one can look at Marinated meats on barbecues: marinades reduce the levels of cancer-risk chemicals being produced when meats are charcoaled black. These include vinegar, citrus juices, herbs, spices and olive oil. Sesame flavored Vegetable Noodles: Boiled noodles with hint of ginger and garic plus all veggies will not only fill up the stomach craving but also a heath boster to address soaring summers.