THE BEST SUMMER FOODS TO BEAT THE HEAT

Taking care of your diet is always important, but in the summer when the heat is felt, eating properly and correctly is essential to maintain a good state of health. What foods to eat in summer? It is good to prefer light and refreshing foods. Let’s discover together the best summer foods to beat the heat by reading this article!

Drink, drink, drink 💧

First of all, it is essential to introduce many liquids, in particular water that, as is well known, it is also rich in highly important mineral salts for the organism, in order to counter the loss of mineral salts due to sweating particularly abundant when the temperature and humidity are high. Drink at least two liters (eight glasses) of water daily. In addition to water, that should never be missing, as re-mineralizing and invigorating drinks you can opt for cold herbal teas and infusions. Therefore, in summer it is necessary to drink limiting the consumption of carbonated or very sugary drinks and avoiding the intake of very cold drinks that could cause the appearance of a severe congestion. It is good practice to avoid alcoholic beverages that increase sweating and the feeling of heat and also to limit coffee.

What type of food should we eat in summer? 🥒

With the heat also the digestive processes are less efficient, so it is recommended the consumption of light foods. It is advisable to reduce the intake of fats and fried foods, avoiding too elaborate seasonings and spicy foods. Moderating the consumption of elaborate and fat-rich dishes is important because, with the heat, the body consumes less energy. It is advisable, therefore, to moderate the caloric intake, preferring a cooking able to maintain unchanged the intake of minerals and vitamins, also decreasing the amount of salt added during the preparation. Good tips are to season with raw olive oil and give preference to fish for the high digestibility and the lower calorie intake, above all bluefish, such as od, mackerel and anchovies, but also salmon, because they are high in omega 3.

A healthy and well-balanced diet must include consumption of seasonal fruit and vegetables, that are considered also good summer foods, since they contain many liquids and are very rich in mineral salts and vitamins. In addition, their fibre content promotes the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal system. It is significant to vary in foods and colours and prefer seasonal fruits and vegetables, because the colour of food is given by antioxidant substances, as vitamins, and the more you vary the colours, the more complete is their intake.

What foods grow in summer? Zucchini, celery, radish, tomato, cucumber, green beans, watermelon, melon, apricot. Zucchini is a low-calorie and water-rich vegetable, source of mineral salts such as calcium, phosphorus, iron and potassium. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin C and carotenoids. Tomato , in addition to the high water content, contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps to counteract the harmful effects of free radicals. Cucumbers contain more than 90% water and are rich in vitamin C and important mineral salts such as sodium, phosphorus, potassium and calcium. They are considered a diuretic, refreshing and detoxifying food that helps to keep the skin hydrated. Among the best summer foods to be consumed to counter the heat should not miss carrots, celery, peppers, radicchio and fennel. Among the aromatic herbs, however, mint  is also recommended for preparing refreshing infusions. Moreover, it is important not to neglect the dried fruits, as almonds and walnuts, that are rich in good fats, minerals and fibres.

What foods to eat in summer: ideas for healthy recipes 🥗

Among the tips about the best summer foods, here you can find some tips on possible summer healthy recipes that are very quick to prepare.

Breakfast:

-vegan pancake with jams without sugar and nuts

-oat porridge with vegetable milk;

Lunch:

-venus rice salad with tricolour vegetables, mint, coriander and cashews

-barley with rocket or basil pesto

-quinoa salad

-gazpacho with pieces of toasted bread

-couscous with curcuma;

Dinner:

- lentils salad

-chickpea hummus

-cod with vegetables

These tips about the best summer foods are valid and useful for everyone. However, if you are suffering from disorders, we advise you to consult your doctor and ask him/her about the best diet that suits you. ProLon® is a mostly plant-based program and contains many of the above-mentioned foods useful against heat such as vegetables or dried fruits. What do you think about buying your ProLon® kit now that summer is here? Hurry up!