This summer has been hotter than ever, with record breaking temperatures in the 100’s for many places across the nation. Beat the summer heat with the following delicious (and healthy) foods.



Lemonade
Homemade lemonade — especially infused lemonade — is a refreshing treat during the hot summer months. Mix together ½ cup agave nectar, 2 cups cold water, and 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice into a pitcher and add a sprig or two of your favorite herb. Basil, rosemary, and mint are popular favorites. This blog suggests that you should grow your own herbs, and gives a few tips on how to do so.

Fresh Fruit
Luckily, fresh fruit is in season to help cool you down during the summer months. Not only are they full of key nutrients, they are also filled water that will help cool your body naturally. Some of the fruits with the most water include watermelon (91% water) and grapefruit (90% water). Other popular summer fruits include: nectarines, peaches, apricots, apples, mangoes, plums, and berries.

Chilled Vegetables
As harvest season approaches, the cost of fresh vegetables continues to drop. Buy heat-busting vegetables such as cucumbers, leafy greens, carrots, radishes, etc. and keep them in your fridge until you are ready to eat them. Summer salads are a great way to eat healthy without becoming overheated.

Frozen Grapes
For a quick snack that tastes much like ice cream, pop a washed bag of grapes into the freezer. The cold makes the flavor pop, and the consistency is just like your favorite creamy treat. Raspberries and blueberries are also easy to eat when frozen.

Homemade Popsicles
There’s no better way to cool yourself down than with a case of homemade popsicles. Mix up your favorite fruits with some milk or yogurt to make a delicious creamy treat. Don’t be afraid to experiment until you find a recipe you like. If you’re making up the treat for your kids, mix up a couple of colorful recipes in separate bowls and then spoon them into the popsicle mold in layers for adorable rainbow treats.

Water
Make sure that you drink plenty of water during the summer to give your body what it needs to naturally cool down. You lose quite a bit of water by sweating, so you need to drink more water than you do during the winter in order to avoid heat stroke and dehydration. Avoid beer and carbonated drinks as they dehydrate the body even though they feel refreshing when you drink them.

Spicy Food
If you take a look at the world, many cultures that live in hot places have a lot of spicy food in their diet. While it seems counter intuitive, spicy foods actually cool you down. The spice raises your internal temperature, increasing your blood circulation and making you sweat, therefore cooling you down.



Additional Tips to Help You Stay Cool

Cook Outside
This blog suggests that you should do your cooking outside so that you don’t heat up your entire house by using your oven.

Close the Blinds
If you close your blinds in your house, you can reduce the heat in your home by about 75%. If a lot of light still gets into your house, it may be a wise idea to invest in blackout curtains.

Wear Loose Fitting Clothes
Loose fitting clothing will help increase air circulation, minimize fungal breeding, and will keep your body cool. Cotton is a better summer choice than spandex, wool, and other materials.

Use Fans
Placing a fan in your room can help increase circulation. If you don’t have AC in your home, fill a pan or container with ice, and put it in front of your fan. As the ice melts, it will create a nice breeze that will cool you down quite effectively.

Visit Public Buildings
If you don’t have air conditioning in your home, visit public buildings such as the mall, libraries, etc. in the middle of the day to stay cool.

Get Wet
There is a scientific explanation as to why water makes you feel cooler. Water is held together by hydrogen bonds between the molecules, an electrostatic bond that requires additional energy to evaporate. It takes that energy from your skin, making you feel cool. So take a cold shower, jump in a pool, or find a local splash pad and get wet!

Put Your Sheets in the Freezer
About one hour before you go to bed, put your sheets in the freezer. As you prepare to go to sleep, take your sheets out of the freezer and place them onto your bed. Your bed will be a cool paradise.