The summer heat is on!

1. Your body's water requirement increase drastically during the summer months. Always keep a bottle handy. Refuel and replenish.

2. During the day, make sure you include lime juice, coconut water and thin buttermilk in your diet. These will make up for the fluids lost while you sweat.

3. Avoid caffeinated, carbonated, or alcoholic beverages which contain preservatives. These are acidic in nature and cause a loss of fluids through urine.

4. Switch to light, nutritious and non-fatty meals. Cut down on artificial sugar as it is said to contain chemicals that could slow down the metabolic process of your body and thus lengthen the time taken for your body to cool down

5. Reduce your intake of hot and spicy foods. Fat and inorganic salts that are found in most snacky and spicy foods have a thermal effect on the body, affecting blood vessels that control and slow down heat loss.

6. Include fresh fruits in the form of salads and juices, preferably without sugar, in all your meals. Fruits not only help in cooling the body, but contain natural vitamins and antioxidants that benefit the body and prevent dehydration. They are also the best replacements for that tea time snack.
* Mangoes may be the fruit of the season but they all fall under the category of high-heat foods. If you
   can't resist them, soaking them in cool water over night would be of some help.
   * It is said that even fruits like grapefruit and roots like radish can cause body temperatures to rise
     and are high-heat foods.
   * Watermelons, water apples, grapes and other melons are coolers and preferred fruits for the
     summer.
* Tomatoes (with a high Vitamin A & C content) are said to be highly beneficial summer fruit.

Have a nice day,

Tips4Me Team