Did you know that there are certain foods that are good to eat when it is hot, just as there are foods that you should probably steer clear of? Hydrating foods are essential as we face the hot Texas summers. Hydrating foods include many fruits and vegetables that are great to snack on during hot weather. Foods like watermelon and strawberries are composed of approximately 92% water, while pineapples and oranges contain around 87% water. Additionally, blackberries, blueberries, and plums are made up of approximately 85% water. Cantaloupe, which is rich in vitamins A and C and a compound called adenosine, is approximately 90% water. Each of these delicious fruits can help keep you hydrated as you battle the summer heat.
Cucumbers, radishes, and spinach are great vegetables for staying hydrated. Each is over 90% water and rich in vitamins that your body needs, especially during the heat.
A bowl of soup is probably not the first thing that you think of eating when temperatures are hovering around 100 degrees, but maybe it should be. Soup is a great way to replenish your body’s fluids. Additionally, if you opt for a spicy soup or chili, your nervous system senses the rise in temperature and triggers the eccrine glands to release sweat. Sweating will help cool you down.
Foods to Avoid when it Is Hot
Foods like mangoes, artichokes, and asparagus are known to be diuretic. Diuretics help flush water out of the body. When it is hot outside, the name of the game is hydration. Eating foods that dehydrate the body is detrimental.
You may also want to avoid eating large meals, especially those consisting of a lot of red meat. Red meat is rich in protein, and it requires more energy to digest. Digestion generates heat through a process known as thermogenesis, which increases your core temperature.
Non-hydrating Food Choices
Highly processed foods and foods high in sugar, such as doughnuts, bread, pasta, and grains, should also be avoided when dealing with high temperatures. It takes a lot of water to metabolize foods that are highly processed and full of sugar. Your body would be better off retaining the water to keep you hydrated for longer.
Surprising as it may seem, you may want to avoid consuming a bowl of ice cream. The heat generated during digestion will increase your core temperature, and your body may overcompensate for the sudden, drastic decrease in temperature caused by the ice cream, causing you to overheat. If you are searching for a frozen treat, consider a popsicle. They are easy on your digestive system and contain mostly water or fruit juice, which is exactly what you need.
Staying cool this summer requires a different approach. Eat the foods that work for you, not against you, in the summer heat to keep your electric bill low and your comfort level high. As always, Pogo Energy is here without the B.S. to help you keep the lights on. Check out these tips and tricks to save money on your electric bill.