Mindful Consumption of Salt: Dietitian Sheds Light on Appropriate Nutrition during Summer Heatwave
In the sweltering heat of summer, maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for overall health and well-being. Dietitian Rimma Moisenko, a renowned nutritionist in Omsk, offers valuable advice on selecting protein sources that promote better digestion, immune response, and hydration during hot weather.
Moisenko suggests focusing on light, nutrient-dense, and easily digestible protein sources. Foods like lentils, chickpeas, tofu, paneer (cottage cheese), quinoa, soybeans, and spinach are excellent options as they provide high protein with fiber and essential nutrients that support digestion without feeling heavy.
Incorporating light animal proteins such as eggs, lean fish, and Greek yogurt can also be beneficial. These foods offer high-quality protein that is easier to digest compared to red meats, which can feel heavy in the heat.
High temperatures cause sweating and loss of fluids and electrolytes, which are crucial for muscle function and immune health. Including foods rich in these minerals such as spinach, seaweed, celery, and naturally sodium-rich foods can help replenish electrolytes lost to sweat.
To further aid digestion and hydration, Moisenko recommends adding digestive and hydrating ingredients like fresh herbs such as mint, basil, rosemary, sage, and fennel, and hydrating fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cucumbers, and melons.
Moisenko advises keeping meals balanced and light, combining protein with whole grains and plenty of vegetables to maintain energy and avoid digestive sluggishness caused by heavy meals in the heat.
However, Moisenko also cautions against the regular consumption of pork shashlik, particularly pork shashlik, due to its harder digestibility which can slow down metabolism. Excessive consumption of salty foods, including nuts, chips, and smoked meats, can lead to dehydration, edema, and increased blood pressure. Moisenko emphasizes moderation in consuming these foods.
By choosing these protein sources, individuals can provide their bodies with optimized digestion, hydration, and immune support, essential for thriving in hot weather. For more specific and personalized advice, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or a dietitian.
What foods should I focus on for better digestion, hydration, and immune support during hot weather, according to Dietitian Rimma Moisenko?Lentils, chickpeas, tofu, paneer, quinoa, soybeans, spinach, eggs, lean fish, Greek yogurt, spinach, seaweed, celery, naturally sodium-rich foods, mint, basil, rosemary, sage, fennel, watermelon, cucumbers, and melons are excellent options.To avoid digestive sluggishness caused by heavy meals in the heat, Moisenko advises keeping meals balanced and light, combining protein with whole grains and plenty of vegetables. However, she cautions against the regular consumption of pork shashlik and excessive consumption of salty foods like nuts, chips, and smoked meats.
