As the temperatures rise during the summer months, it's essential to adjust your diet to stay cool and maintain optimal health.
In Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, certain foods are recommended to balance the body and mind during the summer season.
Here are some preferred Ayurvedic summer foods to incorporate into your diet:
FRUITS
- Dates: Supreme coolants
- Watermelon: Hydrating and refreshing.
- Coconut: Provides hydration and is cooling.
- Pineapple: Supports digestion and has a cooling effect.
- Mango: Best enjoyed when ripe, as it has a sweet, cooling effect.
- Apples: Cooling and great for digestion.
- Pears: Hydrating and gentle on digestion.
VEGETABLES
- Cucumber: High water content and cooling properties.
- Spinach: Cooling and rich in nutrients.
- Leafy Greens
- Lettuce: Hydrating and light.
- Zucchini: Cooling and easy to digest.
- Bell Peppers: Cooling and rich in vitamins.
- Carrots: Slightly cooling, best in moderation.
GRAINS
- Rice: Light and cooling, particularly basmati.
- Barley: Cooling and hydrating.
- Quinoa: Light and balancing.
- Wheat: Cooling and soothing
DAIRY & DAIRY ALTERNATIVES
- Buttermilk: Cooling and aids in digestion (milk diluted in water)
- Yogurt: Cooling but should be consumed in moderation; opt for plain and not too sour
- Coconut Milk: Cooling and hydrating.
- Almond Milk: Light and cooling.
HERBS & SPICES
- Mint: Cooling and refreshing.
- Cilantro: Cooling and helps with digestion.
- Fennel Seeds: Cooling and aids digestion.
- Cardamom: Cooling and good for balancing digestion.
- Turmeric: Mildly warming but generally balanced when used in moderation.
DRINKS
- Cucumber Mint Water: Hydrating and cooling.
- Coconut Water: Excellent for hydration and cooling.
- Herbal Teas (such as mint or chamomile): Cooling and calming.
- Lemon Water: Refreshing; use in moderation if you have high Pitta.
SNACKS
- Fresh Fruit Salads: Hydrating and cooling.
- Vegetable Crudités with Yogurt Dip: Light and cooling.
- Roasted Chickpeas: Light and mildly warming; good for balanced snacking.
- Coconut Chutney: Cooling and pairs well with meals.
SWEETS & DESSERTS
- Rice pudding made with cooling ingredients like cardamom and saffron.
- Fruit Sorbets: Made from cooling fruits like mango or watermelon.
SOUPS & STEWS
- Cucumber Soup: Light and cooling.
- Mint and Yogurt Soup: Refreshing and soothing.
- Coconut-based soup with cooling ingredients.
CONDIMENTS & DRESSINGS
- Mint-based sauces and dressings, chutneys: Cooling and adds freshness to dishes.
- Coconut Chutney: Cooling and complements many dishes.
- Cilantro Dressing: Refreshing and light.