Boost Your Health in Hot and Humid Summers

Boost Your Health in Hot and Humid Summers

SEE WHAT YOU EAT
Eat the low-calorie items on your plate first. Start with the salads, vegetables and soups; eat the meats and starches last. By the time you get to them, you’re content with smaller portions.

ADD VEGETABLES
This too needs to be done in degrees — especially if you’re a protein-only person. GH tips-

April: Add one extra fruit or vegetable serving to all your meals daily. Try this through the month and gradually push it up till you peak around 5-6 vegetable or fruit servings through the day in your third, month. (One serving is one small fruit; or a small bowl of vegetables.)

May: Have a vegetable juice (say, tomato) instead of afternoon/evening tea. It’ll cut down your caffeine intake and give you a nutrient boost. Tomatoes arc best eaten raw; on cooking, they tend to get acidic. Also, they’re packed with vitamin C, potassium, fiber and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A; they are also a source of lycopene, an enzyme that provides protection against cancer.

June: Make your vegetables attractive by adding foods you like - if the quantity is small, the added foods do minimal harm and you still get the good veggies… Dribble a little maple syrup over carrots; sprinkle chopped nuts on steamed green beans; use a low-fat dressing on a boiled or grilled vegetable snack. (Some low-fat salad dressings to it: olive oil, lime juice and a little rock salt; vinegar, basil sprigs and a pinch of pepper; honey, mustard, powder and a dash of vinegar.)