Summer foods to stay cool when it’s hot.

Summer is here and, especially if the weather is hot, this is a good time to look at our diet. In summer indigestion can easily occur so a light and less greasy diet is strongly recommended. This is the season to introduce some cool, yin foods into our diet.

Chinese nutrition classifies food according to its energetic qualities of temperature,  taste and ability to moisten and strengthen the body.  Food with cool and cold properties can clear heat, reduce toxins and generate body fluids.

In general, cooling foods tend towards the green end of the spectrum – lettuce, watercress and cucumbers are some of the coolest. Very few vegetables are warming. Fish and seafood are also cooling, while most meats are warming.

Here are some suggestions to keep you cool and balanced when it is hot. These fruits and vegetables will help your body adjust its temperature and protect you during long, hot summer days.

• watermelon
• apricot
• cantaloupe
• lemon
• peach
• orange
• asparagus
• sprouts
• bamboo
• bok choi
• broccoli
• Chinese cabbage
• corn
• cucumber
• white mushrooms
• snow peas
• spinach
• summer squash
• watercress
• seaweed
• mung beans
• cilantro
• mint
• dill

Other helpful tips for the summer season:

Keep a pitcher of water with slices of lemon and cucumber with you and sip it throughout the day.

Eat in moderation. Over consumption of any food, especially cooling food can lead to indigestion, sluggishness and possibly diarrhoea.

Do not leave your food out for too long. Hot weather tends to increase food spoilage.

Stay away from dairy, heavy, greasy and fried foods.