Summer Diet Guide: Cooling Down, Dehumidifying, and Staying Healthy

Summer Diet Guide: Cooling Down, Dehumidifying, and Staying HealthySummer is here, with soaring temperatures, and everyone is looking for ways to stay cool and beat the heat. Lotus seeds and bitter melon, common summer ingredients, are believed to have heat-clearing and summer-heat relieving effects

Summer Diet Guide: Cooling Down, Dehumidifying, and Staying Healthy

Summer is here, with soaring temperatures, and everyone is looking for ways to stay cool and beat the heat. Lotus seeds and bitter melon, common summer ingredients, are believed to have heat-clearing and summer-heat relieving effects. But are they truly suitable for everyone? What other dietary do's and don'ts should we be aware of during summer? Let's explore the wisdom of summer eating and navigate this season with a healthy mind and body!

Lotus Seeds and Bitter Melon: Summer Delights, but Moderation is Key

Lotus seeds, crisp and sweet, are often used in summer desserts like lotus seed porridge and soup. They are believed to have a calming effect on the mind. However, lotus seeds are inherently cold in nature. For those with weak spleens and stomachs, excessive consumption might lead to diarrhea, abdominal pain, and other discomforts. Imagine enjoying a refreshing lotus seed porridge on a scorching summer afternoon, only to be troubled by stomach pains. This could negatively impact your comfort and enjoyment.

Bitter melon, characterized by its unique bitterness and cooling properties, is a summer staple. It is believed to have heat-clearing and detoxifying properties. However, bitter melon is also considered a cold-natured food. For those with a cold stomach or digestive issues, overconsumption might lead to stomach discomfort and even exacerbate symptoms like stomach pain and nausea.

Therefore, it's crucial to consume both lotus seeds and bitter melon in moderation based on your individual constitution. If you have a cold constitution or a weak spleen and stomach, try to limit or avoid these cold-natured foods. People with a stronger constitution and robust digestion can enjoy them moderately, but it's important to monitor your body's reaction and avoid overindulging.

Summer Dehumidifying: Utilizing Ingredients to Combat Dampness

Summer's humid and hot climate can lead to an accumulation of dampness in the body, causing a feeling of heaviness, fatigue, and overall discomfort. This impacts our health and quality of life. To effectively address this issue, apart from avoiding excessive consumption of cold foods, we can also incorporate dehumidifying ingredients into our diet.

1. Mung Beans: Heat-Clearing, Detoxifying, and Dehumidifying

Mung beans, though seemingly ordinary, possess powerful dehumidifying properties. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, they are believed to have heat-clearing, detoxifying, and diuretic effects, often used to treat symptoms like thirst, yellow urine, and other conditions caused by dampness and heat. Mung bean soup is a popular summer drink, not only refreshing but also effective in combating the dampness and heat of the season.

2. Poria Cocos: Tonifying the Spleen, Dehumidifying, and Promoting Sleep

Poria cocos, a traditional Chinese herb, has the ability to tonify the spleen, dehumidify, and calm the mind. During summer, when dampness is prevalent, it can contribute to feelings of heaviness, fatigue, and poor sleep. Poria cocos can help alleviate these symptoms and promote quality sleep. Incorporate Poria cocos powder into your breakfast porridge for a delicious and nourishing meal that can improve your overall well-being and keep you energized throughout the day.

3. Adzuki Beans: Diuretic, Dehumidifying, and Reducing Swelling

Adzuki beans (red beans), referred to as "" in traditional Chinese medicine, are known for their diuretic, dehumidifying, and detoxifying properties. Summer's humid and hot climate can lead to swelling. Adzuki beans can help alleviate this problem. You can make adzuki bean porridge, soup, or incorporate them into other dishes for a delicious and dehumidifying addition to your diet.

4. Job's Tears: Dehumidifying, Detoxifying, and Beautifying

Job's tears, also known as Coix seed, are a nutrient-rich grain with dehumidifying, detoxifying, and skin-beautifying properties. They can help the body eliminate excess water and toxins, alleviating the heaviness associated with dampness and heat. Incorporate Job's tears into your diet by making Job's tears porridge or using them in various dishes for a healthy and delicious experience that improves your skin complexion and boosts your confidence during summer.

By strategically incorporating these ingredients into our daily diet, we can efficiently address summer's dampness and enhance our overall well-being. For instance, start your day with Job's tears porridge, have a refreshing mung bean soup for lunch, and incorporate adzuki beans or Poria cocos into your dinner. This not only ensures delicious meals but also helps our bodies adapt to the summer environment, eliminate excess dampness, and keep us energetic and comfortable throughout the season.

Summer Wellness: Avoiding Unhealthy Habits for a Healthy Summer

Beyond diet, certain daily habits and activities need adjustments during summer to prevent negative impacts on our health. This allows us to navigate the scorching season with vitality and well-being.

1. Avoid Prolonged Activities under Direct Sunlight

Spending extended periods under the intense summer sun can lead to heat stroke and increase the burden on the heart, especially for individuals with cardiovascular conditions, posing a higher risk. When venturing outside, prioritize shaded areas and avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

2. Reduce Spicy and Greasy Foods

The summer heat can easily lead to "heatiness" in the body, while spicy and greasy foods add to the body's thermal load, increasing the burden on the digestive system, hindering digestion, and even leading to skin problems. Opt for a lighter diet during summer, minimizing spicy and stimulating foods.

3. Avoid Prolonged Inactivity in Air-Conditioned Rooms

While air conditioners provide comfort and coolness, staying in overly cold environments for extended periods can weaken the body's temperature regulation, leading to colds, headaches, and neck and shoulder pain. When using air conditioning, ensure a reasonable temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments, engage in regular physical activity to promote blood circulation, and avoid health issues related to temperature fluctuations.

4. Reduce Strenuous Exercise in Summer

The combination of high temperatures and humidity during summer increases the body's heat stress and fluid loss. Strenuous exercise can lead to dehydration and even heatstroke. Choose moderate exercise intensities and types, such as swimming, yoga, or jogging, and remember to replenish electrolytes and fluids to maintain health and safety.

Conclusion: Cooling Down, Dehumidifying, and Embracing a Healthy Summer

Summer is a time for sunshine, fun, and delicious food. However, we must also be mindful of our diet and lifestyle choices for a healthy and enjoyable summer experience. By incorporating the right foods into our diet, choosing those that best suit our individual constitutions, and avoiding certain unhealthy habits, we can effectively manage the summer heat and dampness, preserve our well-being, and make the most of this beautiful season.

References:

[1] Zhang Ying. The Design of Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Teaching in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language - Taking Summer Dietary Health Preservation as an Example, 2018-04-30

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