Summer; it is that time of the year when cotton clothing, airconditioners, soft drinks and chilled foods are seen everywhere and used by everyone. In India, summers are very hot, and more so in the southern parts of the country. It is very important to partake in a proper diet in summers to keep the body cool and keep diseases like dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea at bay. This article suggests a variety of foods to keep you cool in summers, and you may include them items into your daily diets and beat the scorching Indian summers this calendar year and beyond.
1. Curd
Arguably the most popular food for the quintessential Indian Summer is curd and yogurt. Life without curd is simply impossible, and curd can typically be consumed in various forms like ratias, chhach (buttermilk), shrikand, or even as a lassi! In South India, people also prefer to eat curd rice in summers. Above all, Curd contains proteins which keep allergies and ulcers away. Any curd based dish is effective to keep one cool in the summers up ahead.
2. Coconut Water
Coconut water is a superb drink and rehydrator. It has the same electrolyte concentration as in our blood, meaning that it gets absorbed very quickly. Furthermore, it contains a lot of beneficial vitamins and minerals that also help in weight loss and in maintaining a healthy metabolism throughout.
3. Watermelon
As the name suggests, Watermelons, as well as litchis and musk melons contain high levels of water. Hence, they should be consumed in bulk during the hot summer months. Watermelon is 91% water by weight and you can find any watermelon vendors at almost every nook and corner in the country when the months of April and May roll by. Put simply, a slice of watermelon a day will help you beat Indian summers with ease.
4. Kokum
Not the most commonplace of foods, it is found in only India and resembles a small, dark purple plum. Though it might possess the same sour taste as a tamarind, a glass of kokum juice a day prevents dehydration, loss of nutrients and improves appetite, whilst also cleansing blood from time to time.
5. Mango
Last but not the least, we have the Indian mango! Unripe mangoes or kacchi kairi is especially very effective during heat waves as it protects us from heat strokes. Aam panna is a drink made in almost every home in India during summers, and so are mango chutneys, murabbas and pickles whichcomplement the Indian food fabulously.
This blog post is brought to you by Soulfull, who produce and market a wide variety of Healthy Breakfast based dishes on Ragi on Finger Millet, a cereal that is great for summer ! You can buy Soulfull's deliciously healthy breakfast cereals and Dosa and Idli mixes at their dedicated shopping portal, www.soulfull.in
