The Major Heat is approaching, and the weather is so hot that it makes people exclaim “can’t stand it”! At this time, dietary adjustment becomes especially important. Following the solar terms, choosing suitable foods not only helps us relieve heat and cool down but also maintains our health. So, what should we eat and drink? Don’t worry, today we recommend the list of “eating 4 melons and drinking 6 soups” to make you comfortably go through the summer!
Eating 4 Melons: Summer’s Cool Secret
Watermelon: When it comes to summer, how can we not mention watermelon? This star fruit is a weapon for cooling off in summer! It is rich in water and electrolytes, effectively replenishing the lost water due to sweating. Taking a bite, the sweet juice instantly fills the mouth, the refreshing feeling is simply irresistible!
Fun Fact: The sweetness of watermelon is related to its content of fructose, glucose, and sucrose, and these sugars not only provide energy but also help replenish water and electrolytes to some extent.
Cucumber: Cucumbers are cool in nature and high in water content, making them a frequent guest on the summer dining table. Whether cold-mixed or eaten raw, you can feel the refreshing sensation it brings. Cucumbers are also rich in vitamin C and minerals, helping to clear away heat and toxins, keeping you refreshed even in the scorching summer.
Tip: Cucumber skins are rich in fiber, promoting intestinal peristalsis, so try not to peel them when eating cucumbers!
Luffa: Luffa is a master of clearing away heat and dampness in summer! Whether stir-fried or souped, it can maintain its delicious taste. Luffa also contains various vitamins and minerals, helping to relieve the dry heat of summer, making you feel more comfortable.
Cooking Tip: Luffa tends to release water when stir-fried, so it is recommended to stir-fry over high heat to maintain its fresh and tender texture.
Wax Gourd: Don’t be fooled by its name, wax gourd is best consumed in summer! Wax gourd can diuretic and reduce swelling, clear away heat and relieve summer heat, making it a great choice for cooling off in summer. Whether it’s wax gourd soup or wax gourd stir-fry with dried shrimp, both are good options.
Nutritional Analysis: Wax gourd is rich in potassium, which helps regulate the body’s water balance and has a certain effect on relieving summer edema.
Drinking 6 Soups: Summer’s Goodies for Cooling and Quenching Thirst
Mung Bean Soup: Mung bean soup is a classic summer drink! It has the effects of clearing away heat, detoxifying, reducing heat, and diuresis, simple to make, suitable for all ages. A bowl of it instantly makes you feel much fresher.
Making Tip: When cooking mung bean soup, you can soak the mung beans for a while first, making the soup more flavorful.
Wax Gourd and Kelp Soup: This soup combines the coolness of wax gourd with the rich iodine of kelp, which can both relieve heat and supplement trace elements. Taking a sip, the fresh taste instantly fills the mouth, as if in the sea breeze.
Lotus Leaf Porridge: Lotus leaf has the effect of clearing away heat, relieving heat, and dampness. Cooking porridge with lotus leaf can relieve heat and stimulate appetite. The light fragrance of lotus leaf instantly whets the appetite.
Coix Seed Soup: Coix seed is a good helper for dispelling dampness! When dampness is heavy in summer, drinking a bowl of coix seed soup instantly makes the body feel much lighter. It can also be combined with mung beans or wax gourd to enhance the cooling effect.
Watermelon Rind Soup: Don’t underestimate watermelon rind, it’s a treasure! Wash, cut, and cook the rind into a soup, not only environmentally friendly but also good for cooling off and relieving heat. Taking a sip, the unique sweet taste lingers in the mouth.
Environmental Advocacy: Using watermelon rind in soup reduces food waste and increases dietary diversity. Why not give it a try?
Chrysanthemum Tea: Although not traditionally a soup, chrysanthemum tea is a summer heat-reducing weapon! It has the effects of clearing heat and improving eyesight, drinking a cup instantly makes the mind much clearer.
Tea Brewing Tip: When making chrysanthemum tea, rinse the chrysanthemum with boiling water first, making the tea more clear and delicious.
Summer Diet Tips: Light and Hydrating, Healthy Summer
In addition to “eating 4 melons and drinking 6 soups,” there are some tips you need to pay attention to in your summer diet:
Focus on lightness: Summer diet should be light, avoiding excessive greasy and spicy foods to prevent irritating the stomach.
Hydrate more: Hot weather leads to more sweating, so replenish fluids in time to avoid dehydration.
Maintain good living habits: Ensure adequate sleep and appropriate exercise to improve body immunity and cope with high temperatures.
Follow the solar terms, enjoy the beauty of summer
The Major Heat is approaching, although the weather is hot, as long as we follow the solar terms, choose suitable foods and drinks, we can comfortably go through the summer. Whether it’s refreshing fruits or cooling soups, they can bring us a hint of coolness and comfort. Let’s enjoy this beautiful summer together!