What you should eat and what you should avoid when the temperatures get high
Once the summer temperatures start rising, our sense of hunger starts subsiding. The loss of appetite can leave you feeling unwell.
What to eat
Besides drinking lots of water to make up for fluids lost through sweating, the Telegraph recommends consuming these foods:
loading...
Watermelon
It is a delicious fruit, perfect for picnics and barbeques. It packs lots of nutrients, like lycopene, which protects you from sun exposure. You can also get lycopene from other sources, such as tomatoes, papaya, pink grapefruit and guava.
Salads
Eating salads that contain lettuce, cucumber, celery, radishes, courgettes and strawberries can be really beneficial because these vegetables and fruits are made up of more than 95% water. This way, you stay hydrated and complete your recommended dose of water.
Tea
You might crave cold drinks, but warm drinks are better at regulating your body temperatures. Tea is a mild diuretic and also helps you sweat. By sweating, your body temperature is regulated and maintained at normal levels.
Other recommended foods for summer are chilled hard boiled eggs, smoothies, frozen grapes, cold noodle dishes, spicy foods and spring rolls, according to the Kitchn.
loading...
What to avoid
When it comes to foods you should avoid during heatwaves, check this list:
Alcohol
Alcohol is the main contributor to dehydration, especially when the temperatures are scorching. It is also a powerful diuretic, which means that you will feel the need to urinate more, making you dehydrated.
Mangoes
These fruits act like diuretics, just like alcohol. Fennel, Artichokes and asparagus should also be avoided for the same reason.
Meat
Try to repress the need to warm up the barbecue, because digesting the proteins found in meat requires ‘thermogenesis’, a process that requires too much energy and is best left for colder days.
Ice Cream
Digesting cold foods usually means that your temperature will rise, because your body over-compensates for the rapid cooling effect.
Finally, according to Health, you should also avoid fried dough, corn dogs, ribs, potato salads, onion rings and daiquiris.
Loading...