Beat the summer heat

Some herbs are known to be pick-me-ups,others like coffee and alcohol,however,are known to dehydrate. The ideal drink is either pure drinking water or those that provide health benefits and replace minerals and electrolytes with little calories,sugar,preservatives or chemicals.

Many of us are unsure as to whether its fine to drink beverages with meals. There is no need to separate beverages from solid foods,rather,sip in moderation.

Keep Well Hydrated

Another eternal debate is how much one should drink? As per recommendations many would be guilty of not drinking enough.

An adult body requires an average of about 2 – 2.5 litres (8-10 glasses) of fluid daily to make adequate urine and stay in balance.

Chronic fluid insufficiency can lead to hyperfilteration in the kidneys leading to renal disease or stones. Sportsmen or those exposed to high temperatures and children are more prone to dehydration. Women following weight loss diets may need extra servings of low calorie fluids too. However,those suffering from renal disease or heart failure must strictly regulate their fluid intake.

Ideal Drinks

Vegetable juices traditional sattoos,chaach,coconut or lime water and herbal teas are loaded with electrolytes,minerals and antioxidants which help to fight diseases. They have healing and restorative properties and are simple natural ways to enhance health and vitality. Bael and rose sherbet,lemonade,mintade,aam panna,barley or chana sattoo,zeera-hing lassie,smoothies,cocum water,thandai,litchi juice,jamun juice,cucumber and mint soup,cammomile tea,are great summer coolers.

When calorie counting,go sugar-free and use alternative sweeteners which taste just as good. Green tea and zeera dhania paani are specially useful in weight loss.

Ishi Khosla is a former senior nutritionist at Escorts. She heads the Centre of Dietary Counselling and also runs a health food store. She feels that for complete well-being,one should integrate physical,mental and spiritual health. According to her: To be healthy should be the ultimate goal for all.