Come summer, our focus is on keeping our bodies hydrated with various types of drinks. The weather up North makes it more important to hydrate oneself, due to the extreme conditions.
Staying hydrated keeps the gut healthy, which keeps problems like constipation and acidity away.
“Plain old water seems boring these days, and the market-bought drinks are full of sugar and preservatives”, says Poonam Sharma, the best lifestyle coach, and dietitian in Noida, India. Here are eight healthy drinks she shared that you can make at home and enjoy their goodness.
1. Lassi
The good old lassi works magic in summer. Since it is made from curd, which is fermented, and is one of the best sources of probiotics, lassi becomes a great agent in keeping your gut healthy. Since it is very filling, it becomes a great mid-morning snack, between breakfast and lunch. Lassi shoos away the problem of acidity. To make the most effective lassi for summer, add roasted jeera and mint leaves to it. The roasted jeera keeps acidity at bay and mint boosts immunity. Together, along with salt and pepper added to it, they make a powerful healthy punch!
2. Water with Chia Seeds
Soak chia seeds in a glass of water and consume that water once a day. Since the seeds soak water and form a gel-like consistency, they make an excellent filling drink. Consuming this for half an hour keeps the appetite maintained and being protein-rich, gives the required dose of the very important component of diet as well. The soaked chia seeds can also be mixed in curd, lassi, smoothies, etc.
3. Infused Water
Another great way to include the goodness of fruits and vegetables in your summer routine is infused water. It essentially means, putting slices of vegetables and fruits in water so that their flavor gets infused, and the water does not remain bland. You can try any fruit or vegetable. Some recommended flavors are strawberry, pomegranate, lemon, ginger, cucumber, watermelon, etc. The flavor builds up, adds excitement, and also gives a push to finish the prepared concoction.
4. Lemon Water
This vitamin C-rich drink is an age-old, tried, and tested drink for summer. Adding a pinch of salt to it maintains the electrolyte balance like nothing else. It can be taken half an hour after the meals. A visit out in the heat dwindles our electrolyte balance due to excessive sweating, and this drink is the perfect solution to it.
5. Vegetable Juice
Nature provides us with the best of foods, according to the season. With the advancement in science, when everything can be grown at any time, the concept of seasonal food is taking a backseat. However, having seasonal food is the best way to combat the complications of a particular season. This vegetable juice is an excellent way of having seasonal food. I add ghiya (bottled gourd), cucumber, tomatoes, ginger, salt, and pepper to make an excellent summer drink.
Also recommended is adding one tsp of moringa powder, which is a rich source of antioxidants and calcium. But this drink must be taken after proper consultation. You can conveniently seek expert advice by consulting with a dietitian online. Online diet consultation provides the opportunity to receive personalized guidance and recommendations from the comfort of your own home, ensuring that your dietary choices align with your specific needs and goals.
6. Thandayi/Shardayi
This is a time-consuming drink, which demands an effort to prepare. First, the almonds are soaked overnight and then peeled. To this are then added five ingredients. These include watermelon seeds, poppy seeds (khus khus), green cardamom, black pepper, and fennel seeds (saunf). All this is then ground finely, which forms a paste. Add this paste to boiled milk, and your fabulous summer drink is ready. This would keep heat strokes at bay.
7. Sattu
The basic Sattu is made by grinding roasted black gram. It can be made by roasting other grains like barley etc. This roasted powder can be mixed with water and jaggery powder can be added to sweeten it, or salt and pepper can make it salty as well. It is a drink high in protein and can be taken as a post-workout drink. It is a wonderful option for kids, as a snack.
8. Coconut Water
Coconut water is an elixir of bliss, a gift of nature. It is a drink rich in potassium and helps maintain optimum levels of blood pressure. It also acts as a natural electrolyte balancer.
All these drinks when had, improve gut health and keep your body hydrated. The variety brings in excitement and drinking water becomes a pleasant task during summers as well.
With these expertly crafted refreshing summer drink recipes, you can elevate your hydration game while taking care of your body’s well-being. Cheers to a healthy and invigorating summer!
I hope you enjoy these drinks and stay healthy!
