The country has begun to experience Extreme heatsa climate that will continue during the next months.
Therefore, it is essential to adopt some measures to prevent the body from decomposing and nursing due to heat.
Beyond Maintain constant and adequate hydration, through food it is also possible to better cope with the high temperatures of the summer.
These days, choosing the right foods and drinks can make the difference between feeling fresh and energized, or suffering dehydration and discomfort.
Vegetables and fruits: first option to refresh the body
The nutritionist Mónica Cristina Pinto recommends choosing “light and high water content”, since they help regulate body temperature during hot days.
Pinto points out that the main option must be fresh and rich vegetables in water, among them:
- Cucumber
- Lettuce
- Celery
- Tomato
- Zucchini
- Radish
In addition, including green leaves such as spinach, arúgula, watercress and chard helps to regulate body temperature, due to its high water content.
The nutritionist also suggests increasing the consumption of fruits in its natural form, avoiding liquefied, since these, rather than refreshing, only provide fructose to the body.
Among the most recommended fruits are the most aqueous:
- Watermelon
- Melon
- Orange
- Strawberry
- Blueberry
- Pineapple
Drinks that help refresh during heat
Pinto recommends preferring natural drinks. It suggests, for example, coconut water, which provides minerals such as potassium and sodium, which favor cell function.
It is also advisable to consume:
- Jamaica Rosa without sugar
- Lemonade
- Orangeade
- Pineapple peel cooking water (which can be combined with Jamaica’s rose to prepare a soda)
What foods should we avoid during the heat season?
More than depriving us completely of certain foods, Pinto advises to reduce its consumption. When digesting food, the body enters a process called thermogenesis, which generates heat by metabolic reactions. “When dense foods are consumed, such as fats or proteins that require greater digestion, more heat can be generated,” explains the nutritionist.
Among foods whose consumption should be moderated are:
- Foods rich in saturated fats
- Fritish
- Processed food
- Some meat cuts with high fatty content
However, it is not necessary to eliminate them completely, but regulate portions and combine them with fresh and water -rich foods, such as those mentioned above. You can opt for lighter proteins, such as fish or chicken, which are easier to digest.
What drinks avoid during a heat wave?
The consumption of drinks such as coffee or alcohol can affect body hydration. Due to their diuretic effect, these drinks can increase the elimination of fluids and cause dehydration, especially if consumed in excess. “All diuretics make water and electrolytes lose, which can cause dehydration, especially during heat waves,” says Pinto.
If these types of drinks are ingested, the nutritionist suggests compensating drinking the same amount of pure water as the amount of coffee or alcohol consumed.
Regarding sugary drinks, such as artificial or gaseous juices, although they have no diuretic effect, they can alter the body’s water balance due to its high sugar content.
