Go on eating healthy food this summer and make the most of seasonal foods.

During the hot summer months, the menus in your diet change with respect to those in winter months. You are thirstier and the heat slows down digestion, which is why you tend to choose lighter meals.

To guarantee healthy but delicious menus, take advantage of what nature has to offer and create fun and tasty meals.

What should you avoid?

• Avoid very salty foods which make you thirstier.
• Avoid very hot food, as it will make you sweat.
• Avoid very heavy or very fatty food, which makes you use up all your energy in digesting it.
• Cut down on alcohol, or coffee, which are diuretic and cause dehydration.

Which foods are most recommended?

• Seasonal fruit and vegetables, which help prepare your skin and afford vitamins, minerals, fibre and water.
• Low-fat dairy products, meat, fish and eggs, which go on feeding your muscles.
• Cereals and complex hydrates, like pasta and rice, which are versatile, they can be eaten in a salad and provide energy.

A very good choice is all varieties of salad, with vegetables, greens, pasta, potatoes or rice, as well as gazpachos, cold cream soups, cold cuts of meat or fish cakes.

Would you like an example?

• Watermelon gazpacho. It affords anti-oxidants because of the beta-carotenes in the tomato and the watermelon. It also contains vitamin C, which protects your skin and your mucous membranes, and pyridoxine or vitamin B6, which optimises your metabolism and the working of the nervous system.
• Cream of tomato soup. It has vitamin A, to prepare the skin for the sun and avoid premature ageing. You can add oregano or basil for flavour and to make it easier to digest.
• Scorpion fish cake. It affords omega 3 acids and calcium. Lighten it up with condensed milk instead of cream, and turn it into a very healthy dish.
• A salad with melon, lamb’s lettuce, cherry tomatoes and feta cheese. Refreshing, full of water and with calcium, vitamin C, and folic acid.
• Cold cream of pea soup. With anti-inflammatory effects, oleic acid, calcium and vitamin C. Delicious.

Don’t forget to drink two litres of water to avoid dehydration. And give yourself a treat… It’s summertime!

This post is also available in: Spanish