Sekaya's Healthy Eating Tips This Summer

Summer is back with a vengeance! 

It is not even April but the temperature is quite high already. There's even news about people suffering from heatstroke, a public school canceled classes because the classrooms are like oven. 

With these in mind, Sekaya place emphasis on nourishing and keeping the body healthy with wholesome food choices. Dr. Eca Lorenzo suggests that we tweak our eating habits especially this summer so as not to feel dehydrated and suffer from heatstroke, etc.

Take advantage of fresh produce. April and May are when produce is at  its peak, when farmers harvest crops and when our own backyards are abundant with fruits. "During this time, you notice that local in-season fruits like mango, guyabano, coconut, rambutan, santol, pomelo, and pineapple are mode readily available at your favorite grocery stores and markets. This can help add more color and variety to your plates, allowing you to get as many nutrients as possible," said Dr. Lorenzo. "It's great to keep yourself well-hydrated by adding in more vegetables with high water content like lettuce, tomato, broccoli, spinach, and eggplant to what you eat."

Go for lighter meals. On warm days, the digestive system may become slow as more energy is being spend to keep the body from overheating. "Avoid eating heavy meals this summer to give your digestive system a chance to keep up with everything that's going on in your body. Remember to control your portions and to take your time chewing your food to avoid bloating."

Choose your cold treats wisely. Instead of ice creams and sugary beverages, try having fruit smoothes or botanical infused drinks. "sugar can actually lead to dehydration when consumed in high volumes. Drinking water is still the best way to quench your thirst. But if you want something more flavorful, it's best to choose the healthy route by making smoothies with the freshest fruits and without added sugar or add ice to your favorite botanical infusions."

Observe food safety practices. Dr. Lorenzo reminds that cases of food poisoning and gastroenteritis can be quite common during summertime. "Food poisoning and gastroenteritis due to bacteria or virus have similar symptoms like an upset stomach and vomiting. Both are caused by unhygienic or contaminated food and water. Prevent this from happening by following food prep standards like washing your hands when handling ingredients, making sure fruits and veggies are washed before eating, and ensuring that meat is cooked through. Also, avoid leaving food and water out for hours, especially under the heat of the summer sun."

Summer is a great time to rest, relax, and loosen up but the heat can take a toll on our health, too. Maintain good eating habits and even add a few more, so we can avoid the summer blues and stay having fun all season long.