Diet for high temperatures

The mercury rises, you begin to feel lack of energy and sweat excessively. Summer is finally here, but you feel so weak! Start your diet to face the wet, sultry climate and its consequences, such as low blood pressure. The secret is to choose light, simple foods that replenish the levels of water and salts of the body, whilst restore lost energy. The heat often reduces appetite, but we should not skip meals. Prefer small snacks throughout the day.

WATER AND METAL SALTS

If you move or work during the midday hours, it is a good idea to try to refill the minerals that you lose due to sweating. The best ally in the battle against the heat is  the water, which you need to drink in larger quantities during the day, but never cold,  preferably non-carbonate. The World Health Organization recommends drinking water even when we don’t feel the need, because high temperatures disrupt the normal balance of the body, which can be restored by drinking water in sufficient quantity. Reduce necessarily the consumption of alcoholic drinks and beverages of high caffeine content.

During the summer you should eat plenty of fruit and vegetables that are rich in potassium, a mineral that activates the kidneys and helps us to reduce the toxic substances. Moreover, this mineral is essential for people who sweat a lot and especially those involved in sports. Potassium is found in abundance in bananas, apricots, watermelon and melon. You can also drink fruit juices, which contain valuable fibers that are essential for the regulation of enteric function and the treatment of bad cholesterol, but they should not replace the fruit in your daily diet.

Another clever way to satisfy your desire for something cool and refreshing on hot summer days is to eat many fresh salads. Lettuce, arugula, and carrots rejuvenate your body and reduce acidity levels in the stomach. It is also a good idea to add beans to your salads, such as chickpeas and lentils to make them much tastier, apart from the proteins that they contain. For the dressing there is nothing better than olive oil. Alternatively, you can use low-fat yoghurt or herbs that are rich in minerals.

EAT MANY VITAMINS

Summer is the ideal time to eat yoghurt and fresh cheese with low fat non-fermented, for the prevention of enteric problems caused by the heat. For example, you can make a wonderful salad with fresh and nutritious mozzarella and tomatoes. If you decide to cook something, it is better to prepare something in steam. This is the perfect way for light cooking without much fat. Another good idea would be a variety of roasted vegetables or fish, rich in omega 3 and low fat.

During the summer, choose lighter meals and more whole wheat cereals, but avoid fat rich in calories, which press the body to consume much energy just for their digestion and metabolism. It would be also advisable to intake many vitamins. Vitamin A found in yellow and orange vegetable, and in vegetables with green leaves, contains antioxidants, which enhance the healthy growth of cells, while improving texture of dry skin. Vitamin C has antioxidant energy, stimulates the immune system and can be found in strawberries, citrus fruits, the radicchio and cabbage. Vitamin E combats free radicals and is found in liver and natural oils. A fresh fruit salad, ice cream or a refreshing sorbet is the perfect choice for dessert.