The mercury is rising by leaps and bounds, and a full tummy is not helping. All of us are looking out for kuch halka khaana hai or something refreshing to sip on. Talking about the fitness goals some of us set for 2019, maybe we are not there quite yet. While the classic barf ka gola can help you refresh, syrupy sugar-laden ice is not our idea of beating the heat. So, to tackle the heat and to take a few steps further to try and achieve an ideal weight, we have curated a list of Summer Food & Drinks (superfoods) which are readily available, can help you lose weight, build immunity and cool the mind.
The sweet saga of Sugarcane juice
We hate to say this, but it’s time to replace your afternoon teas with this refresher of a drink! It not only nourishes your body, but also detoxifies. Not only this, it has impressive skin benefits too. Voila! you have a superfood which is available at literally every corner of the city during the Summer months! Sugarcane juice is not only rich in the good kind of carbohydrates, protein, iron, potassium and other essential nutrients, a chilled glass of the same can bring back depleting levels of energy, by building up plasma and body fluids and helping counter dryness and fatigue.
Make sure you buy a glass from a vendor who doesn’t have a dozen flies hovering around him. Get a glass ready in front of your eyes, and skip the ice if you can.
The tangy goodness of Mint
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The humble pudina chutney has been a staple in Indian homes since our childhood days. Our grandparents believed in the chutney even before the Internet made it famous. It’s a good idea to re-introduce it in our diets in the Summer months. Pudina is one of those herbs that not only has general benefits but also therapeutic values. If people have any kind of digestion problems, like gas formation, indigestion, vomiting and diarrhoea, pudina can be used effectively. This iron rich herb can also boost immunity and helps in relieving stomach cramps and acidity. Remember pudinhara? Well, this the raw mint leaves do the trick better.
Make yourself a tall glass of lime water and add mint leaves to it, or grind some mint leaves, ginger, black salt, lemon, and corinader to make a thick paste to be used as chutney, and can be diluted with water for home-made pani puri.
The Lean and clean Coconut Water
Instead of popping vitamin pills and starving yourself for a desirable body, coconut water is the magic you were waiting for. It aids weight loss, helps digestion, the vitamin C, magnesium and potassium content in coconut water help reduce blood-pressure levels, while also keeping hypertension at bay, and keeps you super hydrated.
Get yourself a fresh glass of coconut water first thing in the morning, or as a pre-workout drink. Another way is to add coconut water in place of regular water in your smoothies, to add an effective punch without the added calories.
The crunchy Cucumber
This crunchy number is extremely cooling and given the fibre, and water content, it can help restore digestive health. The B-vitamins present in cucumber buffer damaging effects of stress. It can also be your quick fix for dark circles due to the presence of high amounts of Vitamin K. It is super low in calories and hence is a great food for the calorie conscious. It extensively promotes hydration, helps in weight loss, regulates digestion, and may also help lower blood sugar levels.
Cut it in slices and pop it in your salad bowl, squeeze some lemon and add some table salt for a refreshing snack. Another tasty way to incorporate it in your diet is by slicing some onions, green chilli, cucumber, adding some table salt, black pepper and mixing it with refrigerated curd.
The Indian Chia
Sweet basil (tulsi), is an Indian counterpart to Chia seeds. They also go by many other names, including sabja and tukmaria seeds. From being readily available across India, to being an excellent source of minerals, super packed with fiber, rich in plant compounds, and a source of Omega-3 fats, also has an equivalent nutritional profile to chia seeds.
Instead of buying expensive “imported” versions of chia, go for Tulsi/sabja seeds by soak them in water for at least two to three hours, and consuming them when they have a gel like consistency, you can add this to your smoothie or coconut water to enhance their benefits.
The paan wala Gulkand
Famously added to your favourite paan, Gulkand has other benefits than just being a sweetener or an after meal go-to. Made from rose petals, Gulkand is cooling so is beneficial in alleviating all heat-related problems like tiredness, lethargy, itching, aches, and pains, reduces burning sensations in the soles and palms. It also effectively helps protect from a sunstroke, and controls nose bleed in Summers. Eat 2 tsp gulkand before going out in the sun. You can easily consume it everyday without essentially balming it on a beetle leaf.
Make sure you buy gulkand without any additives, and diabetic people should consult their doctor before consuming gulkand. So next time you step out in the sun, pop in two tablespoons of gulkand to freshen up your breath and avoid a nose bleed in the scorching heat.
The goodness of Desi Sattu
Known as an excellent Summer cooler, Sattu or roasted gram flour is not only tasty but is rich in protein, fibre, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium. It is quite rich in calories too, so make sure you balance your meals if working on a diet. It is great for digestion too!
Make yourself a Sattu sherbet to keep your skin glowing and hydrated. Sattu has also traditionally been used to treat hair problems because it provides rich nutrients to the hair follicles. The iron in sattu also keeps you feeling energised and gives a healthy glow to your face.
Temperatures are soaring and it’s best to keep ourselves hydrated inside out. Instead of loading your skin with tonnes of creams, or popping vitamin pills, start with nourishing your insides first. These superfoods can help you wade through Summer months better without the risk of a heat stroke or a nose bleed. These are easy-to-find, tasty alternatives that can be easily added to your diet. Keep the aloe for the skin, and gulkand for a sweet Summer respite.
If you have any other Summer food & Drinks that you swear by, let us know in the comments below! Hey, don’t forget that Sunscreen before stepping out, though! 🙂
