Summer is all about beating the heat. Surprisingly enough, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there are “cooling foods” and “warming foods” and the definitions have nothing to do with the temperature of these food groups. From a Chinese Medicine perspective, eating cooling foods brings down the heat, and consuming warming foods adds heat to the body. The idea is to find a balance between the two. Fruits and veggies provide important nutrients and fiber all year long; eating naturally cooling foods helps you stay comfortable, even on the hottest days. In this blog, we will explore some of our favorite cooling foods that will help keep you cool during those hot summer months.
The key to cooling down the body is staying well-hydrated. Staying well hydrated flushes out toxins in the body, in turn, aiding in lowering body temperature. Water-rich foods such as cucumbers, watermelon, and leafy greens are great snacks to boost hydration.
Cucumber
We've all heard the saying “as cool as a cucumber” but have we ever put some thought into what that actually means? Cucumbers are high in water content and incredibly hydrating. They are low in calories and can make for a great snack. If you are desperate for some immediate heat relief, try adding lots of cucumber slices to a pitcher of water and enjoy a refreshing and hydrating drink.
Watermelon
A day out in the sun is not complete without some fresh watermelon slices. Watermelon is about 90% water and contains beneficial antioxidants. When you are too warm, you need to replenish yourself with nutrients, just as much as you need to drink water. Watermelon is a perfect sweet treat that is refreshing and easy to snack on when you are feeling the heat.
Celery
Celery has a mighty water content of 95%. It beats both watermelon and cucumber for water content. This means that celery makes for an extremely amazing and hydrating cooling snack to munch on throughout the summer. You can enjoy some celery with some dipping sauce, peanut butter, or even on its own!
Green leafy vegetables
Leafy greens are perfect for helping and healing your body but they are also great for their cooling properties. Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and lettuce are high in water content and can help keep you hydrated. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals, and easily digestible. This means that your body doesn't have to work as hard, saving you energy, and keeping you cool.
Avocados
Avocados contain saturated fatty acids, which can aid in removing excess toxins and heat from the body. Avocados are easily digestible which means that your body won't work overtime burning extra energy after you eat them. Try adding some avocados into your leafy green salad for a healthy and cooling lunch.
Mint
If you are noticing that your body is starting to get hot, try incorporating mint into your drinks and meals. Mint is known to be a cooling herb due to its menthol properties. Menthol triggers protein sensory receptors in the mouth, which act the same way as if you were eating ice cream. Mint will help your body cool down rather quickly, bringing the body to feel cool and refreshed during those hot summer months. You can add mint leaves to your salads, water, or smoothies. If you are looking for something fast and easy, try chewing on a mint leaf for quick heat relief.
Water
Even though water is probably the most obvious choice, many people do not consume enough water, especially during the summer months. To avoid dehydration, having a water bottle near you at all times can prevent you from feeling icky during those hot summer months.
Cool down with Sol Nutrition
As always, it is helpful to listen to your body and pay attention to what it needs during the hot summer months. Now you have the resources to stay cool for the summer! Take our quiz here to find out which supplement is best for you.