Summer is at its peak these days, and with this scorching heat, we sometimes try to avoid Healthy Foods and Drinks and focus on having liquids like lemonade, soda, soft drinks, etc. Although, summer is something we all enjoy. The season offers a wide range of clothes and cuisine options to try. Our favourite aspect, of course, is the vibrant array of fruits, veggies, and refreshing Indian beverages available at this time of year. Because we live in a tropical country, we open up with our favourite cuisines every summer.
In this space, we will be taking you on a tour of a healthy four-course meal to beat the summer in its sizzling way! Read on!
For Starters
We understand that deep-fried kebabs, pan-fried gravy cottage cheese, buttery stuffed naan and paranthas etc., are something we won’t even think of having in this scorching summer heat. Keeping this in mind, we have developed a few brilliant healthy food options to keep the fiery heat away from you.
1. Apple and Almond Butter Toasty
This summer, soothe your mind and relax your body with this healthy and beat-the-heat bread toast. Instead of white bread, use brown, whole wheat or multigrain bread to make it more nutritious.
2. Overnight Oatmeal
Oats are the best option for eating healthy to stay fit while keeping away the blistering waves of summer heat. Soak the oats in milk to make it extra nutritious, and add berries, grapes and pomegranate seeds in the morning.
3. Sweet Potato Crackers or Chips
We know that we Indians crave some crunchy, crispy starters, and for this, instead of regular deep-fried french fries, potato chips, wedges, cutlets etc., we can have chips or crackers made of sweet potato. Instead of deep-frying, let it bake or air fry.
4. Avocado Toast
Beneficial fats enriched Avocado on brown, multigrain, or whole wheat bread toast is a perfect starter option in this burning heat of summer. Soothe your body and taste buds with this healthy food option like avacado toast.
For Main Course
Indian main course meal is rich in flavours, but we sometimes do not prefer to eat spicy and buttery curries with extravagant stuffed naans and Pulao in this scorching heat. Try any of these suggestions to kick the heat away from you.
1. Oats Chilla
Oats are rich in fibre hence making them highly nutritious. Combine them with veggies of your choice, curd to beat the heat, add a little amount of gram flour for binding and make a smooth consistency batter to make rich chillas or pancakes and have with mint chutney. Yumm!
2. Semolina or Rawa Upma
Veggies tossed in a little amount of oil and roasted Sooji or Rawa or Semolina, this food option is highly nutritious and will surely make you feel good in this not-so-good heat.
3. Poha or Flattened Rice
A fulfilling meal of Poha with a few numbers of spices and a small amount of oil is perfect for people who love to stay in shape and want to eat less oily food in this hot summer.
4. Dosa Idli and Sambhar
South India’s most loved food is a fantastic meal option. You can make the Dosa using lentil batter, gram flour batter, Semolina batter, etc. and make a filling of either cottage cheese or potatoes. Idlis are made of either rice flour or Semolina. Sambhar has Arhar lentils and veggies such as bottle gourd, jackfruit etc.
For Desserts
Believe it or not, desserts are the most favoured food options to kick the heat away. The chilling, sweet and velvety texture is what we need to make our taste buds dance.
1. Cake
Are cakes healthy? Yes, cakes are nutritious and beneficial for our bodies. You can have fruit cakes such as kiwi, mango, and pineapple, as they are known for their fruitful qualities. You can also get a cake delivered to your doorstep. Browse through an online cake shop and choose your favourite.
2. Mango Coconut Chia Pudding
It has mango and coconut to keep the heat away from you, chia seeds to make it extra nutritious, and it is a pudding that means sweet. Have this dessert on a summer day, and enjoy watching the heat stay away from you.
3. Melon Pops
Watermelon is one of the best fruits to mitigate the effect of scorching summer. It is a water-based fruit and helps you stay hydrated. You can use this fruit as a dessert in the form of pops or popsicles to beat the blistering heat.
For Beverages
Summer drinks are way more healthy than soft drinks. Shakes and smoothies are a perfect way to stay healthy and hydrated in the fiery heat waves of summer.
1. Coconut water
Coconut water comes in handy during the summer months. This primary nut with electrolytic properties will assist you in regaining lost strength and will keep the heat away from you. So drink a fresh batch of coconut water to keep your skin hydrated.
2. Bottle Gourd Smoothie
What better way to keep the heat away from you than a refreshing smoothie?. Add a dash of lemon zest and mint leaves to make it extra healthy and vital. You can also add cucumbers to it.
3. Kale and Melon Smoothie
The richness of kale and melon with chia seeds is all you need to beat the summer heat and stay hydrated and refreshed. Make a glass of smoothie or order one to soothe your body and taste buds.
Include cucumbers, lettuce, and green leafy veggies in your diet and avoid oily deep-fried food to keep the heat as far as possible while staying healthy and hydrated.
Include cucumbers, lettuce, and green leafy veggies in your diet and avoid oily deep-fried food to keep the heat as far as possible while staying healthy and hydrated. Also, don’t forget to take your supplemets like Supergut, to maintain gut and overall health.
