Foods you should avoid and start eating in summer season
Summers are here and we all are bound to feel thirsty and tired. What do we do? We all like to eat and drink when we are tired and thirsty. Grabbing a piece of burger and a chilled cola is the first thing that most of us resort to. But, wait a minute – are the ones we feel that is going to quench our thirst and provide us with all the energy we need to put us back on track are the right choices we have made. It could be that our choices are going to do more harm than good.
Summers, apart from being hot, humid and reasonably troublesome, are also the months to relish some of nature’s bounty. It is also the time to entertain and get entertained. The evenings are long and what could be a perfect set up for a bar-be-cue parties. But, we need to careful as certain foods in summers are dangerous and can make us sick and especially in summers when we need to be extra cautious with what we eat and drink.
Do you actually know that summers are the months when we tend to gain weight faster than other seasons? Summers have lot of temptations – bar-be-cues, poolside food vendors and a lot more. Here are certain foods that you must avoid in summers and also listed are the foods that you must start having during the hot weather.
Must Avoid:
- Bar-be-cue charred meat, poultry and fish
Bar-be-cued animal protein cooked over raw fire and at higher temperatures produces certain chemicals in the food that could be detrimental to human health and can even cause cancers if taken regularly. Having them regularly is in no way doing good for your health.
- Deep fried dough and other fried stuffs
Battered and fried foods are amongst the worst sources of food filled with unhealthy trans fats. The same is with unhealthy fried dough products. These might taste good, but have unhealthy cholesterol and increases body inflammation.
- Hot Dogs and Meat Burgers
Again it’s the processed and salty option to be blamed. Salami and ham are another bad options that should be strictly avoided.
- Ice cones
These might help cool down for the moment, but are nothing apart from syrups made up of high fructose corn syrups and sweetened with sugar. Moreover, you never know the quality of water been used to make the ice.
- Corn Cobs
These are not only bad for your gums, but are also high on carbs and calories. These have no vitamins, irons or other vital minerals and nutrients.
- Watermelon with seeds
Watermelon is must to have food in summer, but not with its seeds. There is nothing to worry as the seeds of watermelon are not toxic or dangerous, but still it can cause discomfort or bloating.
Must Eat:
- Bottle Gourd or Lauki
This super vegetable is loaded with goddesses of vitamins, folate, magnesium and calcium. It is great for weight loss and acts a super blood purifier.
- All melons
One fruit variety that you can enjoy whole heartedly are the melons. Eat as much as you like. A good for stomach, helps in weight loss, keeps cool and the list is endless.
- Lemon water with mint
It is natural cleanser. Just a few drops of lemon juice in minted water and you are light and summer ready as ever.
- Cucumbers
This one fruit is must for summers. Eat them the way you like – as juice, in salads and even peeled and raw. It is loaded with fibers and will never let you have problems with constipation.
- Curd
It is one food that can be converted to as many varieties as you can imagine – smoothies, butter milk, shakes, lassi, raita and even plain. The cooling effects are just what the body needs in summers.
- Green Leafy Veggies
These are one food that stands good all year around. They are rich in water content and is a must for summers. Make sure that you don’t overcook them to retain the water contents.
- Onions
Yes, you read it right. Onions too have immense cooling effects on the body. It is a great aid in protecting from sun-strokes during summers. Add them to salads or vegetables or just have them raw, enjoy it the way you like.
The most important things to consider in summer is to protect yourself and your family from food poisoning, getting dehydrated and getting hit by sun stroke. The list above mentions certain food groups that you must avoid and the ones that you must have to keep safe and enjoy your summers.
Source: Ms. Sheela Seharwat, Dietitian. She is one of the youngest successful entrepreneur of India, and founder and head mentor of Diet Clinic Health Care Pvt. Ltd.
Image Source: Google Images
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