Are cold foods comfortable or hot foods during Summer?

There is a belief that hot foods eg. piping hot coffee,tea,soups are efficacious in summer because they induce perspiration which leaves the person feeling cooler.This is a myth.Taking hot foods to reduce body temperature will not only make you uncomfortable because of the heat but the sweat makes you feel worse.
Cold foods should be eaten,yes as well as no.While cold beverages and salads are comfortable in consuming, food that has been kept aside for many hours at room temperature might harbour bacteria.Food borne illnesses are an all time high in summer.The danger zone for rapid multiplication of bacteria is 4 to 60 degrees Celsius.
Spicy foods are also believed to be beneficial in beating heat.Though this is not true,spicy foods can get the gastric juices flowing and improve appetite in summer.Some Asian cuisines have spicy soups served cold-double benefit perhaps.
    Summer foods need to give energy and hydration.
Load yourself with water filled varieties of fruits and vegetables. Eat plenty of gourd and leafy veggies-bottle gourd,ridge gourd,snake gourd,mint..
Enjoy melons,tomatoes,mangoes and other summer fruits.Drink coconut water,lime juice,buttermilk.
Use sprouts as they are high in moisture content.
Drink lots of water.
Avoid fatty foods eg.fries,meat as they are difficult to digest.
Caffeinated beverages and alcohol are dehydrating.

Fruit Popsicles(Strawberry Bar,Chocolate Bar,Fig Bar..), quick and easy to make!

  These popsicles(strawberry bars,chocolate bars,fig bars..)  are a nice way to replenish the minerals lost while sweating.Fruits are thirst quenching

and have an instant pick me up effect.Pomegranate is heart-friendly.It has low glycemic index so recommended for diabetic patients and obese.
Nutritionist Naini Setalvad says,artificially flavored drinks don't help hidrate body,"1 glass of tetrapack juice adds 10 spoons of sugar,it makes one hyper giving sugar rush,after which it gives an energy plunge."


Some easy to make Fruit Popsicles this Summer

Strawberry

1)Strawberry Lassi-cles
Make strawberry and yogurt mix.Freeze in Popsicle mould.Enjoy.

2)Peach and Basil-sicle
Puree fresh peaches,add lime juice,some water and basil leaves.Freeze in mould.It's ready.

3)Vegan chocolate with pine nuts
Mix liquid chocolate almonds(finely chopped),vanilla,roasted pine nuts.Freeze in moulds.Its ready.

4)Sweet Corn-sicle
Boil corn kernels, add coconut milk,pinch of vanilla and salt.

5)Low fat Fig-sicle
Use figs,vanilla,yogurt and sliced figs and freeze in moulds.