Many of us yogis absolutely love the summer, but not all of us love the extreme heat that comes with it. When the heat gets to us, we may experience digestive issues such as acid reflux or heartburn, skin conditions such as rashes or acne, and emotional imbalances such as increased feelings of anger or irritability.
Ayurveda (yoga’s sister science) states that we need to adopt pitta pacifying habits during the summer months. Pitta is the dominant dosha of the season that governs the metabolism and is associated with heat.
Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean you need to give up your favorite foods! Just focus on swapping your favourite salty, sour, and spicy foods for foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent instead.
Here are just 10 cooling foods to stock up on this summer.
Whole Grains
Bread and rice count as sweet foods, so enjoy a a hotdog bun or a summer-inspired rice salad! Just beware of added salt in whole grain foods that are processed or that come from restaurants.
Melons
Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew and other types of melons are sweet, packed with water, and offer a wide range of healthy vitamins and nutrients.
Cherries
Cherries are a sweet, antioxidant-rich fruit that you can snack on by the pool, at the cottage, on the deck, on your lunch break or practically anywhere else.
Grapes
If you’re not a fan of removing the stems and seeds from cherries, go for seedless grapes instead. Also rich in antioxidants, grapes are a super sweet, water-packed food that can fill you up quickly.
Mangoes
Known to be one of the most beneficial fruits there is to eat, mangoes can help alkalize the body and aid in digestion — a big help when your digestive fire is burning a little out of control during those hot summer days.
Cucumbers
The saying “cool as a cucumber” is popular for a reason! Cucumbers are 95 percent water, making them the perfect veggie to help rehydrate you and replenish lost nutrients.
Broccoli
Broccoli is super nutritious, high in fiber, and can keep you satisfied for a long time. Serve it steamed as a side dish or raw with some hummus or veggie dip as a snack.
Asparagus
Ever notice that your urine seems to smell strange after eating asparagus? This is because asparagus helps purify the body of toxins by eliminating them through the urinary tract.
Zucchini
Zucchini that has been cooked may help with digestive issues like acid reflux and constipation thanks to being almost entirely made of water.
Some Dairy Products
If you’re not vegan, you may want to consider adding some cooling dairy products in your diet like milk, butter, and ghee (clarified butter). Just be sure to minimize sour dairy products like yogurt and sour cream.
Extra Tip: Avoid Ice-Cold Drinks
It’s tempting to reach for a chilled glass of water when the heat is so intense, but you’ll want to make as much as an effort as you can to drink your water and other cold beverages at room temperature as often as possible. Liquids that are too cold can douse the flames of your digestive fire, which you’ll want to keep burning at a balanced level by avoiding extra ice and beverages that have been refrigerated.