1. Watermelon
To beat the summer heat, the watermelon has a high content of water which helps to keep our body cool and hydrated. As a bonus, it keeps hunger pangs at bay. Due to the presence of lycopene, watermelon helps to keep our tummy full for longer. Watermelons are a rich source of vitamin A and C. It refills the lost water intake in our body. Thus, a boon for all the weight watchers.
2. Cucumber
Cucumber contains 95% water. It also hydrates our body during summers. According to Eating Well magazine, a cup of cucumber slices is “nearly as thirst-quenching as the glass of water”. Cucumber also stimulates anti-ageing and anti-wrinkling activity. It also helps remove waste from our body.
3. Oranges
Yummy oranges! Belong to a citrus family. Sweet, sometimes tangy in taste, oranges are rich in potassium, vital during summers. Erin Palinski says “You lose potassium through sweat, which puts you at risk for muscle cramps,” RD, CDE, LDN, CPT, author of the forthcoming “Belly Fat Diet for Dummies. She also explains, “Eating oranges replenishes your supply and keeps muscle cramps away”. Oranges contain almost 80% of water, so an orange a day will keep you hydrated during your stickiest, sweaty summer days.
4. Yogurt
A cold cup straight from the fridge, high in protein, yogurt adds a dose of probiotics, useful bacteria that keeps your digestive system running smoothly during summers. Yogurt also keeps gastro-intestinal problems in control.
5. Honeydew and Cantaloupe
Both high in water levels, Honeydew and Cantaloupe are summer seasonal fruits, rich in vitamin A & C, also rich in potassium. These fruits easily digest if eaten on an empty stomach, also providing amounts of sugar equal to fuel your full day.
6. Blackberries and Raspberries
These colourful berries are high in fiber, rich in antioxidants and contain vitamins C. They are low in calories. They are often very expensive off the season.
7. Green Tea
Iced Green Tea is absolutely perfect for the summer season to replenish our water intake and keep ourselves hydrated. According to studies, green tea lowers cholesterol, may help in curing heart disease and cancer. It increases your metabolism and helps fight dementia.
8. Apples, Figs and Pears
An apple a day keeps a doctor away. Apples and pears should always be washed before eating so as to clear the pesticides on them or you can opt for the organic ones. It’s best to eat these fruits with their skin on so as to achieve the maximum nutrients. Apples, pears and figs are high in fiber. Ideally two medium sized figs contain more than 1.5gms of fiber.
9. Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines
All three of them are low-fat foods, good for the heart, fights cancer. Apricots, Peaches and Nectarines are also very good for the skin. They are high in fiber. Peaches have Vitamin C, peach and apricots have vitamin A present in them.
10. Strawberries and Blueberries
Strawberries and blueberries are colorful juicy berries rich in flavonoids. They also improve skin texture and lighten skin tone. They also increase the blood flow to the skin. Both these berries help prevent heart disease, manage diabetics, fight against cancer, etc.
11. Nuts
Nuts such as almonds, peanuts and cashew nuts etc., a handful of these are great to munch on. Keeping our stomach full for a longer period of time while avoiding unnecessary junk food. They also help in fighting bad cholesterol.
12. Avocados
Avocado is rich in healthy fats. It has a very good flavor with a very smooth texture. They are high in fiber and potassium, but low in carbs. They help in lowering cholesterol. They have a lot of antioxidants, good for the eyes and beneficial for the skin. It may help to battle cancer.
13. Salads, Green Leafy Vegetables
Leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, mint, etc along with salads like cucumber, etc are very cooling and very light on the stomach. Perfect to beat the summer season.