Introduction: As the hot summer arrives, people tend to sweat. Sweating leads to the loss of water, water-soluble vitamins, and some electrolytes. At the same time, high temperatures can reduce the secretion of digestive fluids in the body, making it easier to experience a decreased appetite compared to other seasons. In summer diet, attention should be paid to the "Three Mores and Three Lesses".
Therefore, many people like to eat some cool foods to "beat the heat," such as cold dishes, watermelon, ice cream, iced soda, beer, etc. However,
1. Drink more water and soup, and less "cold stimulation".
One should drink small amounts of plain water frequently throughout the day. You can also drink beverages like green tea, mung bean soup, or sour plum soup to relieve thirst and heat. Drinking more soup in the summer can adjust the taste and enhance appetite. Some people, when the weather is hot, like to gulp down a large bowl of iced beer or iced drinks at once. This "stimulating" way of cooling down can irritate the spleen and stomach, affect gastric juice secretion, reduce appetite, and cause gastrointestinal diseases such as indigestion, loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and pain, and diarrhea. Furthermore, although cold food can temporarily relieve dryness, after the mouth is stimulated by cold, it can cause a rapid drop in temperature of the salivary glands, taste nerves on the tongue, and periodontal nerves, sometimes even leading to a state of numbness. This can irritate the throat, causing adverse reactions like pharyngitis or tooth pain.
2. Eat more fruits and vegetables, and less greasy food.
Summer offers a wide variety of vegetables and fruits that are rich in nutrients. Commonly available bitter melon, winter melon, tomato, loofah, pumpkin, cucumber, watermelon, etc., have a cooling and heat-relieving effect. Especially some dark-colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, mangoes, and red and yellow tomatoes, they contain large amounts of carotene and phytochemicals, which help boost immunity and supplement vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Eating greasy food will increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, making people feel bloated, lose their appetite, and experience increased fatigue. The summer diet should mainly be light and mild.
3. Eat more cooked food, and less raw and cold food.
In the summer, people often like to eat raw foods such as fruits, vegetables, and seafood. It is worth noting that in the high summer temperatures, various bacteria and parasites can easily multiply. If you are not careful about food hygiene, especially eating unhygienic food at "three-no" (no license, no health permit, no business registration) stalls, you are very likely to contract an illness. Food is the first necessity of the people, and safety is the first priority in food!
In addition to the "Three Mores and Three Lesses" mentioned above, it is also important to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the summer, including getting adequate sleep and doing more outdoor activities.