Beat the Heat of the Indian Summer with These 10 Foods

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As we welcome the glorious summer that is just around the corner, the world is already fighting a bigger problem that needs greater levels of attention and care right now. Our sanity and hygiene is the top priority, but other than that, we also have started to feel the splash of heat in our areas and it is now increasing day by day. Soon, we will be touching the point of the highest average temperature in all the different parts of the country.

We all love summer. The season comes with wide options to explore varieties in clothing and food. And of course, our favourite part is the colorful palate of fruits, vegetables and refreshing Indian drinks available to us at this time of year. Being a tropical country, every summer we have just happened to open-up with our most loved foods. But, other than that, we cannot set aside the fact that a little focus on what good foods you eat in summer can make it much more relaxing and enjoyable for you.

The Scorching Indian Summers

Alright! With the sun shining brightly and the mercury touching above 45 degrees, you have got to do something that helps make it bearable. We wear loose cotton clothes to help cool us down, we drink a lot of water to keep ourselves hydrated and cold deserts and drinks are our favourite mates for the whole summer.

Although, there are air-conditioners fitted all over and a cool breeze out of them can ensure everything is fine. There are still some Ayurveda recommended summer foods that can help you stay cool and calm on the inside. We have collected some of them for you. So, let’s begin to discuss them in detail.

Top 10 Foods for Indian Summers

Imagine wearing woollen clothes in summer! You wouldn't do that. They are clothes made for winter. Similarly, some foods are supposed to be eaten during summer to keep the body temperature neutral. Here we have our 10 most effective foods to beat the heat. We already have illustrated the value of seasonal eating and this is just the next natural step in helping you deal with the scorching summer months.

1. Watery Fruits

Fruits are refreshing to eat all year long. But they have a special place for them in the summer season. Refreshing berries, watermelon, pulpy mangoes, peaches, grapes etc. These juicy fruits will help you beat sunstroke and truly enjoy the warmer weather. They are full of antioxidants and will help you with weight management.

2. Amla

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Indian gooseberry or amla is the food that has been eaten in the Indian subcontinent for many years. It has more vitamin-C than oranges and helps keep your skin fresh while supporting protection from sunstroke. It is great for digestion or heart issues and you can eat it as a whole, in the form of amla-juice or as a pickle.

3. Lemon

When life gives you summer, make lemonade. That means, lemons are great for the summer heat. They are rich in vitamin-C and when mixed with water and home-made spices, you can make the best kind of summer coolant drink. You can also eat it as a part of your side salad.

4. Mint

When we think about mint, we get that refreshing feeling that takes away the stifling heat of summer. You can make mint mojitos to sip on laid-back Sundays or tangy pudina chutney along with your lunch. Either way, it will amp up your taste buds and leave you with a lingering experience.

5. Onions

Name one root vegetable without which an Indian household can hardly work. That’s right, onions. Your simple onion is a very well-known trick to combat sun-stroke. Instead of just putting it in your daily tadka, add it into your side-salad. Raw onions will also help your body temperature to stay normal.

6. Leafy Vegetables

Looking for ideal summer vegetables? Go for leafy dark ones. They are best to add essential vitamins and minerals to your diet and to help build a good immune system. Spinach, kale, cabbage etc. are your most healthy vegetable for summer.

7. Corn

Who doesn't love a freshly roasted cob of corn? Or a cup of steamed corn kernels with lemon and spices drizzled over. Summer is the time of corn specialties in India. You can buy your piece from the road vendors or freshly roast one at home. It is rich in iron, folate, fibre, lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two antioxidants that are well known to protect from harmful ultraviolet rays.

8. Cucumber

Without this vegetable, no platter of salad is considered complete. Because it is a completely hydrating salad made from more than 90% water. So, instead of having it on the side of your food, eat it as an individual food. It is fibrous and will keep you hydrated too.

9. Coconut Water

When there is a drying summer, there is coconut water. This simple nut filled with electrolytic capabilities will help you rejuvenate your lost strength. It reduces blood pressure and is an amazing anti-ageing food. So, keep your skin hydrated with a fresh batch of coconut water.

10. Curd/ Buttermilk/Yoghurt

Get ready for a large stock of curd and curd substitutes. Curd or Dahi is full of the vitamin-B complex that helps in procuring the summer acidity and indigestion. Same is the butter-milk or chach. It is a refreshing drink for you to sip anytime during the day. Yoghurt is also a well-known probiotic food, again good for your gut health during dry summer.

Conclusion

Summer can be full of quenching thirst and dehydrated skin and body. To keep up with that, there is a need for a special diet, especially in summer. You need to drink a lot of water but also remember to eat food that is high in vitamins and minerals to ensure you stay happy and healthy. So, eat healthily, and stay away from fried foods to keep the body temperature in control.

Frequently asked questions about Indian summer foods

What Indian food is eaten in summer?

To keep the body temperature neutral and beat the scorching heat of the summers, there are some effective healthy foods that you can eat as a part of your regular diet like Watery fruits including Watermelon, Peaches, or Grapes. Besides this, Amla, Lemon, Leafy green vegetables, Mint, Corn, Cucumber, Coconut water, Curd, Buttermilk, and a refreshing glass of natural juice work wonders to keep the body temperature in control.

How can I cool my body naturally?

There are clothes made for summer likewise there are some foods which you are supposed to eat in the hot days of the year to keep the body temperature in control and avoid summer related health woes. Following is the list of the foods that will help to cool down your body naturally

• Watery Hydrating Fruits- Watermelon, Peaches, Pulpy Mangoes or Grapes
• Amla
• Lemon
• Leafy green vegetables
• Corn
• Cucumber
• Coconut water
• Curd/Buttermilk/ Yoghurt
• Onions
• Mint

Include them in your diet using different recipes so that you don’t get bored and take the maximum health advantages out of each summer friendly foods to keep cool throughout the season.

Which drinks make body cool?

Answer: In the scorching heat days of the year, sure a glass of cold water is among the best healthy drink to cool down body and quench the thirst, but drinking water every time can be boring so, there are a few natural drinks that can be consumed to quench your thirst, feel refreshed, and cool down your temperature in this summer season.

• Chemical-free juices
• Buttermilk
• Coconut Water
• Lemon Honey Water With Mint as topping
• Aam Panna
• Sugarcane Juice
• Jaljeera