Foods to
keep you
cool
Blistering summer temperatures can upset your
body, causing irritability, exhaustion and sleep
problems among other things. Stay refreshed
by stocking up on these foods to keep you cool.
As cool as a cucumber
Yes to yogurt
Healthy, filling and available in a range of flavours, yoghurt
will definitely help you cool down this summer. It’s also rich in
probiotics which protect against food poisoning and digestive
issues. Make a parfait with fresh berries; try yoghurt with
muesli for breakfast or opt for frozen yogurt instead of ice
cream.
Not only will cucumbers help cool you off, they’ll also provide
you with a quick, midday pick me up. Cucumbers help keep
you hydrated and eliminate toxins from the body. They ease
hangovers, aid in digestion and contain almost all the daily
vitamins you need.
A salute to salad
Leafy green salads with juicy
tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, onions
and other fresh veggies should be
served as much as possible during
the hot summer months. Green
salads contain mostly water, making
them easy to digest and leaving you
feeling cool and energised.
Go bananas
Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps to regulate body
fluid lost through excessive sweating. Other potassium-rich
foods include green vegetables, baked beans, dried fruit and
cereal.
We love watermelon
A firm favourite in South African homes, watermelon
consists mostly of water, making it cool and
refreshing. It is very effective in reducing body heat,
contains cancer-fighting antioxidants and helps treat
joint inflammation.
Keep things spicy
Although hot food is probably the last thing you
feel like eating in warmer weather it can help
keep you cool. Spicy dishes, curries and chillies
can stimulate heat receptors in the mouth,
enhance circulation and cause sweating, which
cools the body down.
The last thing you want in summer is to feel hot and
dehydrated. To avoid this try to eliminate your intake
of alcohol, soda, processed food and fried food as
they increase your body heat, zap your energy and
dehydrate your body.
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