In the summer season, there are certain foods that mother nature naturally brings forth to help cool you down.

In fact, the foods you eat actually have an effect on your body temperature that you may not realise!

And while ice cream and cold drinks definitely soothing treats to cool you down on a hot day, they’re are a number of healthy foods that can help bring down your body temperature naturally - which are also delicious, refreshing, readily available and light on your digestive system.

Here are 9 summer foods you should definitely include in your diet to help you stay energised, refreshed and to help cool you down.

1. Cucumber

Cucumbers have a very mild, refreshing taste, and that’s partly because they are comprised mostly of water.

This property makes cucumbers a great cooling food since they actually hydrate you as you eat them.

Plus, cucumbers are high in potassium, which your body needs to replenish when you perspire and lose electrolytes.

Lightly wash and chill your cucumbers ahead of time in the refrigerator.

Enjoy them in summer salads, as an accompaniment to your favourite dips or a healthy solo snack sprinkled with sea salt!

2. Watermelon

There’s nothing like freshly sliced watermelon on a hot summer's day!

Watermelon is one of the highest water content foods, with a refreshing sweet taste that thrives in summer.

Great as a light snack or as an addition to fresh fruit salads or your favourite cleansing juice recipe, watermelon is very light and soothing on your digestive system.

It also is a great way to replenish fluids and electrolytes quickly and effectively instead of worrying about sports drinks that are loaded with food colouring and additives. 

Watermelon is also one of the best fruits for doing a detoxifying summer fast for a few short days to help you feel, lighter and brighter.

You can learn more about this in our blog Why You Should Try 3 Days On Watermelon Juice

3. Coriander (Cilantro)

There’s a reason why coriander is a staple herb in many tropical and coastal countries, such as Asia and South America, whose people enjoy spicy foods.

Coriander (also known as Cilantro) is incredibly cooling and balancing. 

It also is a great aid for supporting healthy, digestion and easing indigestion and heartburn.  It also promotes a healthy fluid balance in your body for optimal hydration.

Fresh coriander is generally available year round from good super markets, local fruit barns and weekend farmer's markets.  Be sure to add it to your summer salads, home made dips and cooked asian stir fries, curries and favourite Mexican food recipes!

4. Leafy Greens

Leafy greens are one of the most nutrient rich foods available based on their impressive profile, but they can also help cool you down from the inside.

The good news is that leafy greens are a year round staple.  In winter, the darker, denser greens naturally come forth such as chard, spinach and kale.   And in the summer time, the lighter, higher water content varieties like iceberg lettuce, cos lettuce and rocket, are fresh, seasonal and plentiful.

These lighter, leafy greens are great for improving your hydration levels and helping your digestive system to eliminate waste.

Enjoy summer leafy greens in a variety of simple salads and add them to your favourite sandwich recipes and home made tacos and wraps to both cool you down and support your healthy digestive function during the summer months.

5. Bananas

You might not associate bananas with cooling, but they’re one of the top plant-based foods to soothe internal heat.

Bananas are very effective at clearing toxins from the system, which can remove internal “heat” while also restoring balance and relieving discomfort.

Bananas are very easy to digest and are great for fast release energy during the summer months that won't way you down or cause extreme spikes to your blood sugar.

Be sure to include ripe bananas as part of your summer snack routine by enjoying them just as they are or peeling, slicing and freezing banana chunks for use in your daily wholesome smoothies when you feel like something light and easy during the warmer months.

6. Coconut Water

Coconut water has become quite trendy in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why.

Incredibly hydrating and refreshing, coconut water also tastes great and is one of the best replenishing electrolytes going around.

Coconut water is loaded with wonderful minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium, that many people simply don't get enough of, particularly when during the active summer months when it's easy to lose these minerals through outdoor activities and perspiration.

7. Chilli Peppers

It might sound counterintuitive, but spicy foods such as fresh chilli peppers can actually cool you down!

When you eat something icy cold, your body goes to work to counteract that and warm you back up. When you eat something spicy, your body does the opposite and works to cool you down by sweating to release the heat. 

There's a reason why chilli peppers are widely used as an accompaniment to hot, spicy foods by cultures in warm climates! 

8. Mangoes

Luscious and sweet, there's nothing quite like biting into a ripe, juicy mango on a hot summer's day.

Native to tropical climates, mangoes are a delightful, refreshing summer fruit packed with Vitamins C and other essential nutrients.  Not only will a ripe, chilled mango help cool you down, they are wonderful for supporting digestive function, immunity and skin, hair and eye health too! 

9. Pineapple

Pineapple is another sweet, juicy, tropical native fruit that thrives in the summer months and is fantastic for cooling you down.

Mostly consisting of water and a great source of bromelain, pineapple also aids digestion and helps boost blood circulation.

Shop for fresh, ripe pineapples at your local fruit store or farmer's market.  If not quite ripe at purchase, simply set them out on the front of back porch in the sun for a day or two and then they'll be ready to go.  Peel, chop into chunks and chill in a container in the refrigerator.  Pineapple is a cooling, refreshing snack that you'll love during those hot summer days!

The Main Takeaway

Mother nature in her intelligence offers a variety of foods that naturally come forth during the warmer months.

Believe it or not, these foods are designed to cool you down!

Light, delicious and easy to source, these foods are versatile and should be incorporated into your summer diet to support your energy, digestion and all round health and wellbeing when you naturally feel like eating lighter foods.  

Tolman Self Care.