What146;s not hot

A glass of regular water has a better cooling effect than that chilled bottle in your freezer. Read on to rid yourself of summer diet myths
Has the long list of what to eat and what not to this summer8212;-forced down your throat by your over-protective mom8212;got you confused? Chill. Healthy eating during summer is actually quite simple. Stick to your regular diet as long as it8217;s balanced, avoid few foods and ignore the myths.

Foods to avoid
If you want your body to stay cool, follow one basic rule: avoid foods that are hot and eat those that are, well, cool. Garlic, for instance, has heating properties and should be avoided. It increases perspiration, causing us to sweat more. But it isn8217;t a complete no-no, says nutritionist Shikha Sharma. 8220;Cut down on it, but don8217;t shun it completely as it helps remove toxins from sweat pores,8221; she says.
Guard your ginger intake too. Don8217;t add it to your cup of tea. It8217;ll up the heat quotient of your already simmering chai. Try warding off that sore throat with something else. Ginger powder added in vegetables need not be cut down though as it has medicinal properties.nbsp;Meat and eggs are a complete no-no. Sharma says we should avoid them as much as we can in summer. 8220;Both have heating properties and will make you feel sluggish,8221; she says.nbsp;Now, what you shouldn8217;t remove from your summer thali is the good old onion. 8220;It has cooling properties and is one of the most important ingredients of Indian food. We should let that be,8221; says Sharma.

Summer Myths
So you thought drinking chilled water, cold coffee, cola or milk shake not only quenches your thirst but also fills you enough to keep off lunch? Here8217;s a reality check. 8220;People want to feel 8216;light8217; by eating less and cut down on food. But that8217;s a mistake. They should have small and frequent meals to feel not just light, but also adequately energized,8221; says Sharma. nbsp;Skipping lunch and eating after sunset is, says Sharma, harmful. 8220;It makes you feel lethargic through the day, decreases metabolism and makes you prone to heatstroke,8221; she warns.
Contrary to popular notion, cold water does not make you feel as cool as regular temperature water. 8220;Mix lemon and black pepper in your regular water. It8217;ll be more effective than that chilled bottle,8221; says Sharma. nbsp;

Cold milk drinks such as cold coffee and milk shakes can make you feel lethargic and acidic, thanks to the key ingredient in them, milk. Have bananas instead.
Taking sips of aerated drinks during meals is not good either. 8220;Colas make you burp and thus people misinterpret that they help in digestion. Fact is they spoil it,8221; says Sharma. The same goes for water, which should be had only 30 minutes after a meal.