The Coolest Foods

Heat domes. Record temps. High humidity. No matter where you go, this summer seems like it’s hotter than any we can remember. What’s a body to do to keep cool? When I was a bit younger, I’d hook up the hose and douse myself with water, or blow up the kiddie pool, fill it up with cool water, and lie down in it to cool myself down. I also drank copious amounts of Kool-Aid, lemonade, and iced tea. But now what?

Well, I’m turning my attention not only to what I drink, but what I can eat. Turns out that the right food and drink choices can really help you cool off when the temperatures rise, according to medical experts.

Start out with the obvious: not eating big, heavy meals – because digestion creates heat. Chowing down on a bunch of rich food in one sitting can be difficult for your body to break down. You may notice that you’re feeling more sluggish and tired because your body is trying to do too much at once. Instead of that feast, eat lighter meals more frequently. And focus on hydrating foods that are easier to digest.

Cold

The best “cool” foods, according to the experts, begin with cucumbers and watermelon. Both have high water content – more than 90 percent – and that will help you keep hydrated. Here are a couple of my favorites: Watermelon Salad with Mint and Feta Cheese and Toasted Farro Salad with Watermelon and Peaches. When you’re hydrated, your digestion works more efficiently. As an added extra, melons contain lycopene, which protects you from sun exposure. And, surprise! Onions have cooling properties. Red onions contain quercetin, an anti-allergen that can help protect you from sunstroke. Fruits and vegetables with high water content are also full of nutrition and don’t require cooking, so you can reduce the heat generated inside your home. Besides the cukes and melons, think berries, tomatoes, celery, bell peppers, and greens – lettuce, and even spinach and kale. The other night, we enjoyed Thai Chicken and Lettuce Rolls for a quick no-cook dinner.

Hot

And let us not forget spicy foods. That Tex-Mex salsa works because of the ginger, cayenne, and red chili. Not only do those spices help you sweat – and cool – but they also work to help your body absorb nutrients. As for other spices, you may not be aware that cinnamon can reduce your stomach temperature during digestion. Think about sprinkling some on fruits and berries. And while we’re on the subject of spices, cardamom contains numerous antioxidants and cineole, which decreases inflammation and oxidative stress, leading to a decrease in body heat. And good old peppermint is rich in menthol, which stimulates coolness receptors in the skin. Placing mint in your drink or food is another way to benefit from menthol.

Frosty

Sadly, iced coffee, iced tea, and ice cream are no-no’s because eating cold foods can actually warm you up. When you rapidly decrease your internal temperature, your body overreacts and raises your temperature in response. As for a nice cold beer, keep in mind that alcohol dehydrates you, not to mention that it’s a diuretic, causing you to eliminate the liquid in your body.  That said, I don’t think any of us is really willing to forego our favorite summertime libations. Maybe drink them when you’re someplace with good air-conditioning!

Today, instead of “bon appetit,” I’ll close with “stay cool.”

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