As the temperatures rise you’ll find that your energy levels seem to dip. That’s because your body starts working harder to keep you cooler.
More blood is sent to your skin away from your muscles resulting in a lethargic feeling. Your skin also sends messages to your brain which trigger sweating, using up more water and making you feel thirstier and more dehydrated.
The Solution
Ensuring you are drinking plenty water is important, but also important is the foods you eat. Certain foods can affect your body’s ability to cool down as well as aid in hydration.
Fresh and raw fruits and vegetables naturally contain a lot of water. The water in fruits and vegetables are also where most of the nutrients lie. Opting to eat your fruits and vegetables raw not only keeps you hydrated but gives you the best nutritional benefits.
9 Foods to beat the Heat
1. Cucumbers
At 95% water, Cucumbers contain the highest water content of any solid food. Cucumbers also have fibre and Vitamin C.
Aside from using cucumbers in salads and crudité platters, cucumbers can be juiced along with other fresh produce or blended along with yogurt and mint for a cooling dip.
2. Greens
The darker the green the more nutrients it has. However, light coloured iceberg lettuce contains 95% water, making it a great green to be using in your summer diet.
Spinach at 92% water is another good option – and it packs a more nutritious punch.
Add greens to salads, use large leaves instead of wraps and add spinach to your morning smoothie.
3. Watermelon
Watermelon is 92% water, low in calories and packed with Vitamin A, C and Potassium.
Combine watermelon, feta cheese and basil for a refreshing salad, eat it raw or blend it up to create a cooling summer drink
4. Bananas
Bananas contain potassium and magnesium which replenish electrolytes lost through sweat and help balance and regulate fluids in your body. Plus their natural sugars give you a boost of energy.
Keep banana slices in your freezer to add to smoothies, cover them in chocolate and nuts to create frozen pops or blend 2 frozen bananas with a tablespoon of peanut butter to create “nice cream”.
5. Celery
With just under 96% of water, folate and Vitamins A, C and K celeries have a place in your diet apart from being added to soups and stews.
Chop up celery and add to salads or spread some almond butter in the groove of a stalk, and dot with raisins for a satisfying snack.
6. Tomatoes
Cooked tomatoes may allow your body to absorb more of their antioxidant lycopene. They also contain 94% water they’re also a great way to hydrate in summer.
For a quick and easy appetizer take grape tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil and skewer onto large toothpicks.
7. Melon
Spanspek or cantaloupe contains 90% water and a quarter of a melon gives you 100% of your recommended daily intake of Vitamins A and C.
Eat in in wedges or puree with orange juice and mint for a delicious drink.
8. Strawberries
They give you more Vitamin C than any other berry and contain over 90% of water.
They’re delicious on their own but for a cool treat blend with mint and lime and freeze into popsicles.
9. Coconut Water
The water found inside young and mature coconuts not only hydrates you but also contains potassium which helps replace salts you lose through sweating.
You can buy coconut water alone, but if you spot a young coconut get it and turn it into a chocolate shake.
