Best Foods to Eat In The Summer

 1. Toast the Day

Drinking plenty of water when it’s warm outside is an easy way to keep you feeling your best. Dehydration happens quickly in the summer, and even faster when you’re being physically active. According to research published in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, being even just a little dehydrated affects your ability to physically perform. Stay hydrated. You can start by toasting the morning with a glass of water. Then, toast your friends with something more sexy like crushed pineapple in ice water, or cucumbers in water that's been cooled in the fridge. Yum!

2. Savor Your Skin

Glorious sunshine-filled summer days expose your skin to harmful ultraviolet rays. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can help protect your skin. According to the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, when researchers compared the diets of some people in Greece, Sweden and Australia they found those that ate more vegetables and olive oil had fewer wrinkles. Eat lots of delicious seasonal foods like leafy greens and vegetables (and supplement if you fall short) to support your sun-drenched skin this summer.

3. Minerals on the Menu

The radiant heat of summer brings with it sleeveless fashions, sockless footwear and sweat. Sweat is a combination of water and electrolytes meant to cool the body. When you sweat, don’t forget to recharge: seek out foods rich in minerals (peas, green vegetables, bananas), use multivitamins or try smoothie mixes that include vegetables.

4. Cool Off

Yuck! Sweaty! As the thermometer rises our bodies cool off by increasing blood flow to the skin, and sweating. As it gets even hotter, people experience irritability, fatigue and reduced physical performance. Find a seat in the shade, get a cold drink, and cool off. Better yet, jump in the sprinkler or lake! Go on, jump in and live young - it's fun and research studies have found that with age the body is less efficient at recognizing and adjusting to heat.

References:

Sawka MN et al. Hydration effects on temperature regulation. Int J Sports Med. 1998 Jun;19 Suppl 2:S108-10.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.  Hot Environments – Health Effects. 2008. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/heat_health.html

Purba MB et al. Skin wrinkling: can food make a difference? J Am Coll Nutr 2001 Feb;20(1):71-80.