The Do's and Don'ts of Food in Hot Weather

The hot weather is rising, it is the peak of the summer months and that means rushing to the public pools, water parks, cook outs, amusement parks, and plenty of people rushing to get to the best vacation spots they can. While we attend the above fun and relaxing places, we all have to eat. It's a must. Everyone has to run to grab that funnel cake, or indulge in the double cheeseburgers with everything on it. But with the heat climbing into the triple digits, is that really a good idea?

One thing that you have to think of when choosing what to eat, is that hot weather has a tendency to making you feel sluggish and sleepy. This can ruin anyone's time when their significant other or family member wants to go home an hour after getting to the event. You want to make sure that you eat foods that have nutrients in them that can give you that energy that the heat drained out of you.

Because it's 95 degrees outside, it really isn't a good idea to eat soups, the soups will just generate more heat then you need. You want to concentrate on the lighter foods. Such as fruits, veggies, and salads, now I'm not saying that you have to turn into a rabbit, but indulging on fruits and veggies are less expensive and easier to digest. Many fruits and vegetables are mostly made of liquid which means it is easier for our bodies to digest and doesn't make us feel the extreme fullness like meats do. This feeling can weigh us down and help us to feel sleepy and sluggish. Summer is a time where we want to be energetic!

You might also want to indulge on your grains and cereals. Grab a granola bar or nutria-gain bar. This will supply your body with the carbohydrates that it needs. Carbohydrates are very important to consume in the summer time, but don't go over board, carbohydrates give you energy!

It's a good idea to avoid foods that are high in protein such as, tuna, eggs, pork, or chicken breast. High protein foods cause increases your metabolic heat or in other words it increases your body's own internal heat. And the last thing we want to do on a 100 degree day is raise our body temperature higher than it is.

When your out at those carnivals or water parks, just swimming in the cool water isn't enough to keep your body cool, you have to make sure that you drink a minimum of six to eight glasses of cool liquids, even if you are not thirsty. Cool drinks would include water, flavored water, juices, anything that does not have alcohol or have caffeine in it, because these two beverages can cause you to become dehydrated instead of hydrate you.

Another important thing to think about is if you are at one of those carnivals or even a park, there are a lot of times vendors that stand out in the walk ways selling hot dogs and hamburgers. I wouldn't suggest purchasing meats on a hot day that have been outside or within a small vendor's cart. Hot food is meant to be kept hot. In hot weather, food should never sit out for over one hour. No one really knows how long that hot dog has been spinning on that open grill. This same concept goes for cook outs too.

If you are going to or planning a cook out, make sure that you keep any of the meat or chicken refrigerated until it is ready to be used and only take them out of their safe cold refrigerator when they are ready to be cooked on the grill. Above all you want to make sure that every thing remains clean so not to transfer or assist in the growth of harmful bacteria. Leftovers shouldn't be left out more than two hours. I would even say an hour depending on how hot it is outside.

In conclusion, the best way to have fun in triple digit or 90 degree weather is to seek out air conditioning when available or have a fan around at all times. Move your picnic's inside or go to an indoor amusement park! If you have to be outside, follow the above simple suggestions and keep cool. If you're in a park, seek out a shady spot underneath a pavilion or trees. And always try to limit your activities to the cooler portions of the afternoon and evenings. Your body with thank you, and so will your friends and family!