Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Beating the heat

With summer everything from your wardrobe to diet changes

PHOTO: N. BALAJI

CHOOSE THEM RIGHT Juices and salads are best recommended for summer

Come summer and the streets are lined with carts of cut fruits and juices, beckoning those parched throats. The midsummer raging heat certainly does not afford the cool headedness to pause to think about hygiene.

And so, naturally, summer is synonymous with abdominal pain, dehydration, stomach infection — common syndromes at this time of the year. And for the weak bellied, mango, which is the fruit of the season, is a strict no.

Excessive heat can also lead to spice intolerance in those who have a history of stomach disorders. It is hence prudent to keep a watch on the diet and most importantly, when we eat outside.

Says Jyothi Prasad, Dietician, Manipal Hospital: "It is best to go in for plenty of fresh fruits and juices as the heat can be dehydrating. However, one should be very conscious of hygiene in the summer months." She insists: "It is best to avoid eating out during summer as the water can be contaminated; besides there is an increased presence of flies during these months." Bacteria tend to multiply on exposed and cold food.

Since the heat leads to excessive perspiration, she advocates consumption of plenty of fluids "preferably a lot of water to prevent dehydration." Juicy fruits and veggies like watermelon and cucumbers are highly recommended. "Tender coconut and butter milk are very good during summer and prevents dehydration."

As most of the stomach ailments occur due to contaminated water, she suggests drinking boiled and cooled water. Colas and caffeine based drinks are a strict no as "they further dehydrate."

Says Dr. Vijayamalathi: "Excessive perspiration leads to loss of salt in the body. The best way to put this back is consuming more fluids with salt. Buttermilk is a very good source of salt as it has the essential sodium, potassium and water that is invariably lost in perspiration."

While recommending a light diet that is low in oil and spices, she advocates wearing cool cottons as cotton absorbs sweat. "Synthetics retain the heat as the fabric does not breathe."

It is quite common to feel less hungry and more thirsty during these months as the body mostly craves for fluids. And Jyothi Prasad insists, it is important to eat small frequent meals.

Says Shoba, a homemaker: "During summer, my fridge is stocked with fresh fruits. Our diet also becomes lighter with less oil and spice. We prefer to have more of rice, dhal and curds rather than chappathis and heavy masala-based side dishes."

Says Reena, an executive: "During these two months we consume less of meat. Our diet becomes mostly vegetarian as it is lighter."

With the right strategies, like appropriate food and clothes, let's tackle summer. Say a firm no to colas and fizzy drinks and embrace the desi buttermilk and the good old tender coconut.

NANDHINI SUNDAR

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail