Summer is here and so is the scorching sun.
With temperatures rising to unearthly degrees, it is now mandatory to keep the body cool, fuelled and equipped to beat the heat!
Children will be itching to riot the parks and playgrounds, and as a parent, it is fair that you are concerned about food intake and other health problems during the summer season.
Here are 8 super cool summer foods for kids to air condition their system naturally!
8 Supercool Summer Foods for Kids to Beat the Heat !!
Below is a list of all the summer foods for kids with recipes
1. WATERMELON
Watermelon is made up of 92% water content, which makes it a get snack to beat the hot waves. In addition to this, watermelon is loaded with B-complex vitamins and antioxidants that keep cellular function active to drain out excess toxins. The fruit contains the highest amount of antioxidant lycopene along with Vitamin A, which is an excellent skin tonic. Eat it, as it is, juice it or add it to lemonade.
2. LEMON-MINT
Lemon and mint are one of the best natural coolers during summers. Mint helps reduce the gastric acids and lemon regulates the digestive juices so as to keep the body cool. Make a minty lemonade, mint lassi or lemon-mint cordial as summer coolers.
How to make Mint Lemonade for Kids?
1. Make a simple syrup by boiling 2 cups of sugar with 2 cups of water. Let it cool.
2. Add 2 cups of lemon juice to 4 cups of water.
3. Add 1 cup of simple syrup to this mixture.
4. Add 1/2 cup of fresh mint leaves.
5. Refrigerate for 2 hours and remove the mint leaves and serve.
3. TOMATOES
One of the best natural sunglasses for the body is tomato. Abundant in lycopene and vitamin A, tomatoes are shown to reduce skin pigmentation thus prevent tanning. They also help protect again possible skin diseases and cancer. Make a chilled tomato soup, juice it up with carrots, or eat it raw to keep your body cool.
Image Source Wiki
4. CUCUMBER
B vitamin, flavonoid and electrolyte rice cucumber are a great mid meal snack option during summers. Couple it up with some yoghurt for a raita, add it to a raw greek salad or spice it with cumin for an excellent snack.
5. COCONUT WATER
An electrolyte rich drink, coconut water has all the properties to keep your body cool, skin hydrated and metabolism active. This potassium rich drink prevents heat strokes, keeps blood pressure in check and is excellent for sportsmen & exercisers. Consume as it is, flavoured with mint or added to a pinacolada.
Coconut Dates Smoothie
Ingredients
- 8 Dates
- 1 cup tender coconut flesh
- 1 cup Dahi
- 4 cups of tender coconut water freezed into ice cubes
- 1 ½ cups chilled milk
- 4 tbsp crushed walnuts
- 2 tbsp honey
Method
1. Blend all the ingredients to a smooth consistency except walnuts.
2. Garnish with crushed walnuts and serve Chill.
6. PINEAPPLE
The best tropical fruit, pineapple is a known anti-inflammatory fruit. It is also an excellent hydrator and a must include in your summer diet. Eat it as it is, mix it in a pinacolada or make a tropical fruit punch.
7. BARLEY
Grains usually are not counted as coolants, but barley is an exception. Barley helps reduce water retention, cellular inflammation and maintains the body’s natural water balance. Consume as barley water, barley bread or barley upma.
8. CUMIN
Cumin may come as a surprise to many, but it is one of the most effective spice is reducing acid load in the gut. Reduced acid load reduces body heat and helps keep the body cool during summers. ½ tsp of cumin powder after meals is all the you need to keep acidity at bay. Jeera can be added in Purees, Khichdi, Savoury Porridges, Soups.
Hope this article was useful in knowing about the goodness of summer foods for kids.
Please Note – All these recipes are suitable for toddlers above 1 year. If you think that cold drinks cause cold in your child, you can serve at room temperature.
Do let us know by commenting below any food related concerns for your child this summer.
Author
Dhvani Shah
RD, ND, PG (Dietetics), BSc, C.D.E.
Ms. Dhvani Shah is a consulting dietician and naturopathic nutritionist. She has done extensive research in traditional diet therapies and naturopathy and its relevance in modern context and is pioneering drugless healing and well being through her unique approach – FIMS. She runs the “FIMS clinic” which supports a body-mind-spirit approach. Dhvani specialises in Woman and Child Nutritionist by developing specialized nutrition programs, conducting workshops, developing nutritious recipes and now – writing a series of books on Child Nutrition, Women Wellness & Scientific Jain diet.
www.dhvanishah.com
Image Resources – Freedigitalphotos.net, Wiki