Plain curd is packed with Calcium, Vitamin B and gut-friendly bacteria (Probiotics) that aid digestion and soothes the body from inside. It is a healthy summer drink alternative to cold fizzy drinks.

Tender coconut water is a delicious natural drink filled with essential electrolytes that help beat the summer heat and boost energy. It keeps you hydrated, energized throughout the day and boosts your digestive capacity.

Drinking buttermilk in summer keeps the body cool and hydrated. It can also reduce your chances of suffering from heat stroke. It is also beneficial for digestion.

Watermelons and muskmelons are huge sellers in summer. Juicy and full of nutrients, melons make great summer companions. Not only are they hydrating, but they also boost the body with energy-rich nutrients like vitamin B, magnesium, potassium and fiber.

Cucumbers instantly hydrate the body and reduce body heat. Eat them as a salad or with your favourite dip, or blitz them into a juice with ginger and some lemon.

Mint is a cooling herb that can be added to make a very refreshing summer drink. Mint helps digestion without increasing body heat. It relieves nausea, fatigue, headaches and eases depression. Making tea with mint leaves can help induce sweat to reduce body temperature.

All citrus fruits, including lemons, oranges, and pineapples, are delicious and thirst-quenching. They are loaded with fiber and good water content. These fruits contain a lot of vitamin C, which helps soothe the nerves and remove toxins from the body. One can juice them or eat them sliced. They boost immunity and make your skin glow.

Green leafy vegetables are high in nutritional value, calcium and provide a good cooling effect on the body. They can be consumed as a side dish with meals or added to smoothies and salads.

Apart from being delicious, mangoes are an excellent source of iron and magnesium which boosts immunity. Eat it raw, or as Aam Panna a summer drink, as chutney or curry. Mango is great for digestion, heat stroke and boosts energy.

This herb cools the body, eases insomnia, calms anxiety and soothes the digestive system. Also great for skin and scalp, it reduces inflammation, rashes, insect bites and cuts and scrapes. The sun’s harmful UV rays can cause various problems for your skin, it can be treated with chamomile tea which is known for its antioxidant, soothing and anti-inflammatory properties.

Avocado is a superfood, contains high amount of mono-saturated fatty acids, which help remove heat and toxins from the blood. They are easily digested, so your body doesn’t have to generate much heat to digest them.

To increase the protein content of your diet, turn to fish. Fish is rich in good fatty acids, and generates less heat on consumption. You will not feel lethargy or discomfort, which may occur after eating chicken and other meat dishes.