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11 Simple foods to eat to stay naturally cool this intolerable summer!

These foods will not only keep your body cool but also make sure you don't lose out on the nutrients and help you stay fresh all day!

Published: May 19, 2016 8:23 PM IST

By Rutu Ladage

11 Simple foods to eat to stay naturally cool this intolerable summer!

The heatwave just refuses to settle and along with the soaring temperatures we hear cases of dehydration, health disorder, starving and in extreme cases even death. While for people living below the poverty line it might be more of a struggle, for those who can afford to live well, you can do simple things to keep your body temperature under control and prevent yourself from getting a sunstroke or your body dehydrating. We often hear elders advising us to drink tons of water in the summers and there’s a reason they ask us to do that. When we sweat, we lose a lot of body fluid and along with it, also many nutrients. Drinking water helps maintain the body’s water levels and maintain the body temperature. But what about the nutrients that are lost? Here, these foods will not only keep your body cool but also make sure you don’t lose out on the nutrients and help you stay fresh all day!

[ALSO READ: 3 Amazing dessert recipes to prove you’re truly a Masterchef!]

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1. Curds

Yoghurt or Curd is one of the healthiest foods to have in summer. plus, it is extremely easy to make. Even if you use a store-bought ready-made variety, there are millions of curd dishes you can whip up in a jiffy! Simply have some curd rice for lunch and dinner in the summers and see how quickly you feel light and healthy. Alternatively, have curd as an accompaniment with your foods. Or if you like it plain, simply beat some curd, add a pinch of salt and pepper, mix well and enjoy! Add a few fruits to it if you want to experiment a bit!

Curd

2. Buttermilk

A different form of curd, buttermilk is as healthy if not more. It has all the goodness of curd and then some more! The best way to have buttermilk is fresh, right when it is churned. You can also add some other cooling spices like coriander leaves, some cumin powder and salt for some taste. While green chillies and ginger paste are often added, you can skip these in summers. Alternatively, if the tangy buttermilk is not to your liking, you can simply beat curd, add sugar, a little bit of water and stir well till the sugar dissolves. garnish with some fresh malai and enjoy your lassi instead!

Buttermilk

Image Credit: Madhu’s Kitchen

[ALSO READ: 8 Foods to eat to give your skin and body a natural detox this summer!]

3. Cucumbers

Cucumbers are full of water and essential nutrients. And while you might have often rubbed cucumber slices on your face and on your dark circles hoping to lighten them, try popping a few into your mouth too! Many times, people add cucumbers to salads, dips and even make cucumber juice – but really, you don’;t need to go all the way. Remember your childhood when you simply washed a cucumber, sliced it in 4 parts till the middle, stuffed a little salt and red chilli powder inside and enjoyed? Well, what’s stopping you from doing that now!

Image Credit: aromatic-cooking.blogspot.com

Image Credit: aromatic-cooking.blogspot.com

4. Lemon Ice Tea 

We Indians absolutely love our tea. And another thing we love is nimbu paani. But then, having the hot, spicy Indian tea in summers can often lead to stomach issues and the very thought of tea in the heat can be a turn off – there’s no need to go completely off the beverage! Simply substitute your normal tea with lemon iced tea! That ways, you get the soothing and astringent properties of lemon and at the same time, the ice will keep your body cool! P.S: Add a few mint leaves to your iced tea if you like the flavour! Alternatively, you cana lso have lemon green-tea if you wish to ditch the caffeine too!

Image Credit: www.artsfon.co

Image Credit: www.artsfon.co

[ALSO READ: 7 Foods to avoid if you wish to stay healthy this scorching summer season!]

5. Watermelons

Nature’s own way of staying fit, this fruit has more benefits than you can count! Simply dig in or enjoy it as a juice, a smoothie or a shake, watermelons are amazingly delicious and healthy! They are full of water and nourish you from within. Watermelons don’t fill you up too much and you can eat quite a bit of the sweet fruit. Plus, carving shapes out of water melones – who hasn’t tried that atleast once?! Oh, and if the heat is too hot to bear, simply do what this little munchkin does!

6. Coconut Water

Our very own and very humble Nariyal Paani! While we Indians have been enjoying this drink since ages, the West has only about woken up to the benefits of drinking nariyal paani regularly. The drink is so rich and full of nutrients, it definitely is a must-have for summers. Also, the water is so packed with nutrients, it is perfect for summers as it replenishes all the nutrients your body loses after sweating. It is the best ever natural energy drink! Drink coconut water whenever you want but make sure to always drink it fresh!

Coconut Water

[ALSO READ: 11 Delicious desi drinks that’ll cool you down in no time this summer!]

7. Musk Melon

Another healthy melon, musk melon unfortunately often gets ignored in summers as people are all gaga over watermelon. However, the musk-melon too is just as nutritious and packed with energy. Once you crack open the melon, simply take the juice in a glass and sip on it. It is amazingly refreshing! Also, if eating the fruit is too much of a hassle, simply sprinkle some sugar on the fruit. This will make it secret more of the juice and once the fruit is juicy enough, simply slurp it away!

Image Credit: mykitchenmoments.wordpress.com

Image Credit: mykitchenmoments.wordpress.com

8. Sugarcane Juice

Ganna juice! How can you ever, ever forget this while talking of cooling foods in summers! Just one sip and you’re instantly energised and full of energy! At the end of a long day, all you need is one nice, chilled glass of sugar-cane juice and voila! You’re set. The juice not only replenishes all the vitamins and gives you instant energy, it also cools your body from within and helps you survive a bit longer under the heat.

Image Credit: eathealthystayhealthy.wordpress.com

Image Credit: eathealthystayhealthy.wordpress.com

[ALSO READ: 6 Yummilicious desi mango recipes you must try these summers!]

9. Falooda

Admit it! Your mouth is already watering! Brought to India by the Mughals, this Indianised version of the Persian Faloodeh, this drink is now so popular, we Indians cannot imagine our lives (and summers) without it. Plus, the best part about Falooda is that it is as nourishing as cooling and tasty. The rose water is naturally cooling and adds flavour. The subza or basil seeds also work towardas cooling your body. The sev used is rice not refiuned flour making it more healthy and easy to digest. Add some nuts and fruits, some pure rose syrup (without artificial flavouring) and this drink can be your best friend in summers!

Image Credit: 12recipe.blogspot.com

Image Credit: 12recipe.blogspot.com

10. Ice-candies

Made of plain water and flavour, ice-candies are a fun way to beat the heat these summers. Plus, you can also make ice-candies at home as they are amazingly easy to make. If you want a healthier version, simply squeeze some fresh fruit juice and freeze it. Alternatively, you could also freeze milk with some flavours or powdered nuts popped in. Fresh dry-fruit popsicle anyone? Oh, or how about aam-ras frozen like a popsicle? No Indian can resist that ever!

Image Credit: www.sheknows.com

Image Credit: www.sheknows.com

11. Mint

Though not to be eaten as is, you can add mint to a variety of foods. Make some mint chutney as an accompaniment to your meals or add mint to your tea or juice. You can also use mint to garnish your vegetables! Mint is amazingly healthy and abundantly available! If nothing else, just grab some mint ice-cream and enjoy!

Image Credit: www.hungryforever.com

Image Credit: www.hungryforever.com

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