Post by Blaque on Aug 10, 2006 9:58:20 GMT -5
By Amy Paturel
With the oppressive humidity and blazing temperatures of summer, any degree of relief is welcome. Here's one suprising way to cool off in a heat wave -- spice up your food.
Yes, it's true. Because sweat helps your body cool itself down, eating spicy foods that make your brow drip with perspiration can be a good thing. So, incorporate some foods into your summer diet that pack a punch to keep your meals interesting and liven your palate.
Here are a few suggestions for firing up your meals so you can chill out all summer long.
Spicy Salads: For a kick, toss in some curried tuna or chicken to a big salad with romaine lettuce or baby spinach. Need another idea? Skip your basic balsamic vinegar and try some spicy salsa as your dressing.
Zesty Soups: Nothing says summer like gazpacho, chilled cucumber soup or carrot purées. They’re refreshing, low in calories and loaded with healthy nutrients. But chilled foods can also have a kick. To turn up the heat, add peppers to your gazpacho, and ginger or cumin to your carrot and cucumber soups.
Fire Up With Fruit: For a healthy double-whammy of hot and sweet, top spicy tacos or burritos with a cooling -- and tangy -- mango or pineapple salsa.
Slice of Spice: Having a healthy sandwich? Spread hot mustard on your whole-wheat bread, or add a layer of thinly-sliced, low-fat pepper jack cheese.
Don't Forget About Water: Enjoy your spiced-up summer dishes, but make sure you're also staying hydrated. When you sweat, you're losing not just water, but also electrolytes like sodium and potassium, says Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., M.A., R.D. co-author of 'Your Diet Is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life.'
Eat fruits with a high water content -- melons, berries, nectarines and peaches. And eat potassium-rich foods -- bananas, oranges, spinach, and tomatoes -- which help replace electrolytes lost from summer sweat. Also, allow yourself a bit of salt, which can aid in rehydration by helping the body hang onto fluid, explains Sass. Put a hint of salt on air-popped popcorn or have some lightly-salted pretzels.
With the oppressive humidity and blazing temperatures of summer, any degree of relief is welcome. Here's one suprising way to cool off in a heat wave -- spice up your food.
Yes, it's true. Because sweat helps your body cool itself down, eating spicy foods that make your brow drip with perspiration can be a good thing. So, incorporate some foods into your summer diet that pack a punch to keep your meals interesting and liven your palate.
Here are a few suggestions for firing up your meals so you can chill out all summer long.
Spicy Salads: For a kick, toss in some curried tuna or chicken to a big salad with romaine lettuce or baby spinach. Need another idea? Skip your basic balsamic vinegar and try some spicy salsa as your dressing.
Zesty Soups: Nothing says summer like gazpacho, chilled cucumber soup or carrot purées. They’re refreshing, low in calories and loaded with healthy nutrients. But chilled foods can also have a kick. To turn up the heat, add peppers to your gazpacho, and ginger or cumin to your carrot and cucumber soups.
Fire Up With Fruit: For a healthy double-whammy of hot and sweet, top spicy tacos or burritos with a cooling -- and tangy -- mango or pineapple salsa.
Slice of Spice: Having a healthy sandwich? Spread hot mustard on your whole-wheat bread, or add a layer of thinly-sliced, low-fat pepper jack cheese.
Don't Forget About Water: Enjoy your spiced-up summer dishes, but make sure you're also staying hydrated. When you sweat, you're losing not just water, but also electrolytes like sodium and potassium, says Cynthia Sass, M.P.H., M.A., R.D. co-author of 'Your Diet Is Driving Me Crazy: When Food Conflicts Get in the Way of Your Love Life.'
Eat fruits with a high water content -- melons, berries, nectarines and peaches. And eat potassium-rich foods -- bananas, oranges, spinach, and tomatoes -- which help replace electrolytes lost from summer sweat. Also, allow yourself a bit of salt, which can aid in rehydration by helping the body hang onto fluid, explains Sass. Put a hint of salt on air-popped popcorn or have some lightly-salted pretzels.