Summer is here, and with it have come many delicious and healthy summer foods. Do you want to know what these foods are and why you should eat them?
If yes, then keep reading to find out more about summer foods, as recommended by Ayurveda.
Ayurveda and Summer Diet
Ritucharya, or seasonal regulations, is an essential component of Ayurveda. According to the 5000-year-old Ayurveda, each season comes with its own set of Doshas and characteristics. Therefore, you should always eat foods according to the season to keep in harmony with nature and avail of the best benefits.
Summer is known as the season of Pitta in Ayurveda. Ayurveda recommends eating sweet, bitter and astringent foods while favouring foods rich in cooling and liquid properties to keep Pitta balanced.
Among these foods, Ayurveda also includes several superfoods that provide the best health benefits to your body and mind in the summer season.
What are these superfoods? Let’s find out.
Each season comes with its own set of Doshas. Hence, the appropriate diet for each season is different. You must eat according to each season to maintain the overall health of the body.
According to Ayurveda, summer is the season of Pitta. Hence, you should favour sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and enjoy cooling and liquid foods during this season. Ayurveda also recommends many superfoods to keep your body cool during summers.
5 Summer Superfoods by Ayurveda
- Sattu
Rich in insoluble fibre, Sattu is one of the best foods to keep you cool in summer and energise your body. The best way to include Sattu in your diet is Sattu drink.
- Amla
Also known as Indian gooseberry, Amla is packed with antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress in the body. It is also an excellent coolant to beat the summer heat. You can drink Amla juice every morning during summer for a punch of vitamin C.
- Ghee
Loaded with healthy fats, ghee helps balance the internal moisture in the body and boost digestion during this season. Therefore, Ayurveda recommends adding at least ½ teaspoon of ghee to your diet.
- Ginger
Imbued with anti-inflammatory properties, ginger helps soothe stomach discomfort and relieve irritated skin. You can drink ginger juice or ginger tea every day to stay healthy during the summers.
- Coconut
Blessed with essential nutrients like zinc, magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium, coconut water is one of the best summer beverages. It helps provide electrolytes to your body, prevent dehydration and rejuvenate your body in the summer season.
Best Ayurvedic Herbs for Summers
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Ashwagandha and Brahmi are the best cooling herbs for summers. Ashwagandha helps reduce inflammation, whereas Brahmi helps soothe the body’s nerves and reduce stress in the body. Tulsi or Holy Basil is also highly effective in this season. It helps detoxify the body and cool your body system. You can easily consume these herbs in the form of herbal teas.
Time-Tested Summer Diet Tips by Ayurveda
- Indulge in sweet dairy products like milk, butter, ghee, curd, etc.
- Consume healthy summer beverages and herbal teas like peppermint tea, fennel tea, liquorice tea, etc.
- Eat fresh fruits and salads. However, avoid sour foods, unripe fruits and heating spices and vegetables.
- Do not eat salty, oily, fried and spicy foods as they can aggravate Pitta. Avoid onions and garlic as well.
- Favour leafy greens with a bitter and astringent flavour like spinach and kale.
- Choose water-rich fruits like watermelon, grapefruit, pineapple, peaches, mangoes, etc. They will help prevent dehydration and keep you refreshed throughout the season.
On a Final Note
Eating a summer-appropriate diet is extremely important to stay healthy in this season. Otherwise, you might become dehydrated and suffer from various health problems. Ayurveda recommends many tips and superfoods to ensure that you have a healthy summer season. It recommends eating cooling and light foods and avoiding Pitta-aggravating foods to beat the summer heat.
