5 foods that are good for the summer season | Alveena Tauqir

Summer is really refreshing until it takes extreme forms. Not only do you start feeling hot but also deprived of freshness and energy. The extreme heat wrings all the electrolytes out of your body through excessive sweating, making you feel lethargic and energy-deprived. This gives rise to the need of adapting your diet and lifestyle to the extreme weather conditions that we experience in Pakistan from the start of May till the end of September.

What to do

Well, you already are familiar with the fact that as summers approach, we start preparing for certain beverages and foods that are thought to be great for the heat-filled season. This is a tradition carried on for centuries as people learned to adapt to the environmental changes and live with them. So it is very much clear that food plays an important role in maintaining the internal bodily state compatible with the weather outside. Although, there have been some false practices that have been prevailing regarding the choice and use of food, that do more harm than good. I will be breaking a few myths regarding these and then share a few of the food choices that you can go for in summers, to keep yourself refreshed and hydrated all day long.

Myths regarding summer foods

1.?????Drinking really cold beverages will help me get rid of the heat.

Well, we all believe and have applied this myth in our lives for sure. Right when summers start, we get our hands on ice chilled water, thinking it will help cool us down. But that is not actually the case. It might give a cooling effect for the time being but little do we know that the intake of these cold beverages in very hot weather might constrict our blood vessels, making the loss of heat from the body kind of difficult. Hence, having chilled beverages while feeling hot might not be a good idea. It is also advisable to cut back on caffeine during the summer season.

2.?????You should only eat fish in months ending with ‘R’.

We all have heard this myth about not eating fish in summer and most of us have also followed it religiously but having to know that it was just a myth is a little awkward. Yes, fish consumption has nothing to do with seasons and you can, of course, have it during summers too but excess of everything is bad, right? So try to consume the right amounts at the right times and go easy with the food, no matter what season it is.

3.?????Juices are the healthiest way to consume fruits.

Well yes, it is recommended to take as many liquids as you can during summers to prevent dehydration but juicing your fruits out is not actually the “healthiest” way you should consume them. Research shows that extracting juices out of fruits deprives them of fiber and other nutrients which are vital for the human body. So the best way you can keep yourself hydrated while consuming fruits is consuming them fully, with all the contents and nutrients to get the maximum advantage out of them.

Foods you should consume in summer

1.?????Watermelon

I know you already knew this one. Watermelons consist of 90% water that means they are highly rich in hydration. What’s more, is, they contain some substances that protect against sun damage and muscular degeneration. So you see that compatibility so far, right? Oh, and they taste really delicious, which counts for another point!!

2.?????Onions

If you’re a real desi person, you know the role of onions in summer afternoons. Any dish is incomplete without onion salad—be it daal, veggies, or anything else. All you have to do is julienne cut an onion, add a little salt, and a few drops of lemon juice to it. This will prevent you from getting heat strokes.

3.?????Lemon

This sure is another unsurprising ingredient that you should definitely use in your summer foods. Lemon has really refreshing properties that instantly energize you. You can make lemonades, top your salads with some lemon juice or drip the juice on any snack you want to eat, but keep in mind that it can catch give you sore throat if taken excessively, so go easy on it.

4.?????Chia Seeds

A very healthy and popular ingredient, especially in Pakistan, Chia seeds are a great source of nutrients and calories for you. They also have antioxidant properties. Not only do they work against heat, but also help with many physical complications like heart diseases, diabetes, etc. For making a chia seed drink, you need to soak a tablespoon in water for 1 to 2 hours and they’re good to go. Mix them in any beverage you like and enjoy.

5.?????Yogurt

Yes, yogurt is a really nutritious and healthy food you can count on during summers. Well, in addition to being very yummy, yogurt is an amazing source of lactic acid and multivitamins. It hydrates your body and provides an instant kick of freshness. Not just this, yogurt has a really light texture that feels quite gentle on the tiring summer days.?You can consume yogurt as it is or always make a lassi out of it. Totally your take!

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