Expert Diabetes Care in The Comfort of Your Home
Summer is here! Come summer, the temperatures begin to rise, the heat waves make it impossible for you to step out, and your body feels dehydrated all day, every day! But guess what? We have a solution for you (actually just some healthy drinks) that will make it easy for you to surpass summer and maybe even enjoy it a bit!
These summer drinks are not only super healthy but also so refreshing and hydrating that no matter how many heat waves hit you, you will still feel recharged and fresh!
Also known as chaas, this is a yoghurt-based drink that is quite famous all around the country. Buttermilk makes for a perfect breakfast beverage that you can have right before you leave your house on a hot sunny day. You can make it more flavourful by adding mint leaves, tangy spices, rock salt, etc. You can also add sugar if you want a sweet version of the beverage. Buttermilk is an ideal drink for diabetics as well because it has a low carb count.
The best alternative to all your soft drink carvings during the summer is coconut water. It is organic, readily available, and one of the healthiest drinks you can have this summer. Coconut water makes you feel hydrated instantly. You will feel energized throughout the day, no matter how high the temperatures rise. Coconut water is an excellent alternative to soft drinks.
200 mL of tender coconut water contains 10g of less sugar as compared to 200mL of a soft drink. Plus, it is heavily loaded with minerals.
Mangoes are the most prominent fruits of the season. They are quite popular as an ingredient of various summer coolers, especially Aam Panna, because it is so cooling and energizing after a long day out in the heat. You can add fresh mango pulp, cold water, mint leaves, roasted jeera, rock salt, and other tangy spices to the mix and make yourself this mango cocktail to get an instant dose of energy on a hot day!
Jaljeera not only helps in feeling refreshed on sunny days but is also quite helpful in making your digestion better. As the name suggests, the primary ingredient of this amazing beverage is cumin, also known as jeera. Cumin seeds are mildly roasted and then converted into a powder. You can store this powder in a dry container and use it for days.
All you have to do is add the cumin powder to a glass of chilled water along with salt, black pepper, and mint leaves. Then you can sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass of this rejuvenating summer beverage that you will love.
Sattu powder is made with barley and has an instant cooling effect, and that is just what you need when you come home after a day out in the sun! Sattu powder can be made at home, or you can buy the one readily available in the market. Just mix a tablespoon of the powder in a glass of cold water and enjoy this bout of energy to feel refreshed, relaxed, and energized.
Like jaljeera, this drink is also quite helpful in resolving digestive issues. It improves your metabolism and makes you feel more active and healthier. If you want to make it sweet, you can add artificial sweeteners to enhance the taste as per your liking.
Remember the feeling you have when you eat chewing gum with mint in it? That refreshing and cooling effect and how it makes you feel! Yes, that is how cool you will feel after a glass of peppermint sharbat on a hot day. Peppermint, also known as pudina, is such a delightful ingredient that makes every beverage come to life with its presence. Just add a few crushed peppermint leaves in ice-cold water, along with rock salt, and you have a solid, 10/10 drink to beat the heat!
Khus (vetiver) is extremely rich in nutritional value and fibre content. It is again an amazing way to feel better on a day when you just can’t take the heat anymore! Plus, it also helps make your digestion better, bones healthier, fights insomnia, regulates blood pressure, and enhances your gut health. Do you still need another reason to try it right away?
Tip: Use fresh Khus only. Avoid using readily available Khus syrups in the market as they have a high volume of sugar.
This is the most popular summer drink EVER! Plus, it is so easy to make that even kids can make it on their own. All you need is some lemon juice, chilled water, and a pinch of salt, and that’s it. To make it more appetizing, you can also add coriander powder, black pepper, cumin, and rock salt. You can also add mint leaves to make it more flavourful and refreshing. We are sure that one glass of this lime water will make you feel relaxed even on the hottest days of the season!
Not only is lassi a refreshing summer drink, but it is also so fulfilling and healthy. You can make it in so many delicious flavours, even with fruits. You can customize this amazing drink by adding fresh, seasonal fruits such as strawberries, mangoes, peaches, etc. This fluffy and lightweight drink is the perfect comeback for the summer heat.
All in all, instead of opting for unhealthy soft drinks and cocktails that do no good to your health, try these delicious and healthy summer drinks to beat the heat! We are sure that once you try our recommendations, you will not go for anything else! If you need more advice on how to take care of your health during the summer season, you can get in touch with health care educators and coaches on the Diahome application, who will help you understand how you can stay fit and active with proper nutritional meals.
Download the Diahome app on your smartphone and get started now!
Mrs.Sripriya Ravi, M.Sc, Senior Dietitian
Miss. Priyadharshini M.Sc, Dietitian