During these hot summer days, relaxing in a pool, under a shady tree or in an air-conditioned space often sounds a lot better than cooking in the kitchen. But, of course, meals still need to be made. Sunnybrook’s Registered Dietitians have some suggestions for eating well when the temperature rises.
Don’t shy away from warm meals
While you make not feel like something hot, it actually might help to cool you off. A warm meal can make you sweat, which is our bodies’ way of lowering our temperature.
If you opt to leave the oven off and use the barbecue instead, be sure you minimize charring the meat to help prevent cancer, and follow these BBQ safety tips. You can serve the meals with fresh greens or a tomato salad.
Use your slow cooker – it won’t heat up the house the way some ovens do. If you cook, make extra so you can eat that the next day and save yourself from cooking again. You also have an option to freeze these for a later date if you have freezer space.
Eat food that feels fresh
Think green, red, yellow or orange peppers, watermelon, crispy carrots, leafy green salad. Visit your local farmers’ market for fresh produce. Check out what’s in season.
Minimize salty foods
Eating high salt foods can lead to water retention, and can result in more swelling and bloating, particularly noticeable during hot weather. Reach for foods that are lower in salt. There are a number of lower sodium choices available.
Drink lots of water
This sounds like a cliché, but we are serious. Drink more water when the weather is hot. Not a fan? Slice a cucumber, lemon or strawberries and keep a fruit-infused water jug in the fridge. Unsweetened herbal iced teas, and even cold soups are also refreshing.
But you don’t have to stop drinking hot beverages—they can actually help your body feel cooler.
Be mindful of caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which means they can make you pee more! More trips to the washroom mean a higher chance you’ll get dehydrated.
A cold beer tastes great on a hot day, but remember to drink responsibly: stick to the recommended daily alcohol limits and alternate with water so you stay hydrated.
And if you are drinking, make sure you’re not drinking, boating, swimming or barbecuing.
Freeze some fruit
Try frozen grapes or strawberries, or chop up some fruit and put it in your freezer. It’s super refreshing, helps with hydration and is more nutritious for you than popsicles or ice cream as there is more fibre and other nutrients from the fruit.
