Ayurvedic tips: Include these foods in your diet to beat the summer heat

The summer heat can affect one's health in many ways. In Ayurveda, the summer season is known as “grishma rutu”, and it also mentions the many dos and don’ts related to the season. The concept of Ayurveda focuses on understanding the fact that food has a direct effect on our overall health. In Ayurveda, it is said that one should change their diet according to the seasons so that you don’t suffer from any health issues during seasonal change,” mentioned Dr Sailee Modi, ayurveda consultant, Vedicure Healthcare and Wellness. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

As such, one’s digestion is actually the lowest during summers. In order to prevent it from excessive heat, the body turns down its internal heat that’s what we call ‘agni”. That is why, appetite is naturally lower and we crave light foods. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

As the season is hot, one should avoid sour, salty, and pungent foods which increase pitta dosha (heat in the body). Rather we have consumed food having the following properties- Sweet- those which are naturally sweet such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Bitter that is sharp and pungent taste. Astringent food that makes the mouth feel chalky and cooling food are not necessarily colder in temperature rather they should have cooling effect post digestion. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Mango: The king of fruits, mango balances all the three doshas vata, pitta, and kapha dosha. Ripened mangoes boost energy and the unripe mango has astringent and cooling properties. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Apple: It is sweet in taste and has cooling properties and people having excess heat will be benefitted from it as it will cool down the body system. (Source: Flickr/Haku Chon)

Pear: It reduces the pitta dosha and acidity owing to its sita (cold nature). (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Watermelon: It is water-rich, sweet, and has a cooling effect on the body, and helps flush out toxins from the body. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Plums: Improves one’s appetite and digestion by improving the “agni”. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Raw mango drink (kairi panna) is one of the best summer coolant drinks, perfect thirst quencher and easy to prepare. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Amla juice is a rich source of vitamin C and balances the pitta. It is also an antioxidant and a vital drink in summer. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Lime juice is sweet and bitter in taste and maintains water content of the body. (Source: Cocktailsforindians.blogspot.in)

Neem juice is bitter in taste and helps to reduce skin infections due to heat. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Bottle gourd juice is light and its cooling property is good for diabetes, and skin diseases. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Pomegranate juice helps in maintaining all the three doshas vata, pitta, and kapha and will be beneficial for your overall well-being. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Salads: This is the best time to enjoy fresh salads made of cucumber, kakdi (light green skin), carrots, and asparagus.  All these are light foods, have cooling properties and are good for the skin as well. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Soups: They are perfect for dinner -- easy and light to digest. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Vegetables like broccoli, pumpkin, green leafy vegetables, bottle gourd should also be included in summer to stay fit and fine. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Sattu: It is typically made of Bengal gram. A perfect cooling agent and a power-packed energiser. (Source: Sangeeta Khanna)

Rice: Unpolished rice, red rice, or basmati rice khichdi with split green moong dal with one tablespoon of ghee can also be enjoyed during summers. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Beverages: Tender coconut water and freshly made buttermilk from fresh curd helps maintain the electrolyte balance. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Having warm milk daily at night, 1 hour before going to bed is advisable. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

Add herbs like mint, cilantro and basil, flaxseeds to your diet. They all have cooling properties and are nutritious too. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

“Avoid cold water to prevent cold and cough. Do not eat spicy, oily, processed, and junk food as it can lead to acidity that is a common health problem during the sunny days. Moreover, hydration is the key to wellness,” said Dr Modi. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

How are you planning to beat the summer heat? (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)