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 a must as we take on 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 92% water, and pineapples and oranges are 87% water, followed by blackberries, blueberries, and plums, which are 85% water. Cantaloupe, which is full of vitamins A and C and a compound called adenosine, is 90% water. Each of these delicious fruits can help keep you hydrated while battling the summer heat.
Cucumbers, radishes, and spinach are great vegetables for staying hydrated. Each is over 90% water and loaded with vitamins that your body needs, especially in 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 liquids. Also, if you opt for a spicy soup or chili, your nervous system senses the rise in temperature and triggers eccrine glands that release sweat. Sweating will help cool you down.
Foods to Avoid when it Is Hot
Foods like mangoes, artichokes, and asparagus are known as diuretics. Diuretics means that they flush water out of the body. When it is hot outside, the name of the game is hydration. Eating foods that decrease the amount of water in the body is bad.
You may also want to avoid eating large meals, especially if they consist of lots of red meat. Red meat is packed with protein, and it takes more energy to digest protein. Digestion creates heat in a process known as thermogenesis, which raises 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 created 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 heat up. 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.