This summer, we all want to enjoy glowing skin, the benefits of a strong metabolism and high energy levels. As the old saying goes "We are what we eat", so it's important we know what is going into our bodies and how it will help. Nutritionist Eve Kalinik shares her top tips to help us feel vibrant all season long.
1. Eat hydrating foods
Did you know that foods high up on the water scale count towards your daily quota of fluids? Think cucumber, watermelon, strawberries, radishes and peppers. All of these have additional nutritional and digestive health benefits and can easily be added to a salad or blended into a morning smoothie. Cucumber batons and raw radishes are lovely sliced through some pea shoots or seasonal leaves. Add a simple olive oil and lemon juice dressing and this makes for a perfect side dish.
2. Make a sweeter choice
The summer just wouldn’t be the same without an ice-cream or sorbet and it's okay to have the odd indulgence here and there but for the majority part sugar is really not your friend. If you want to have a happy stomach then reducing your sugar intake is a must. If you have a sweet tooth, prepare in advance by stocking your freezer with healthy sweet treats - a refreshing berry sorbet, fruity ice lollies or a big bowl of delicious mint choc-chip ice cream. All super summer hits without any refined sugar.
Moringa Mojito Ice Lollies
3. Get hot & spicy
Spices such as chilli, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and ginger all have metabolic boosting properties which helps to burn off extra kcals. Adding these to your salad dressings not only makes them taste better but gives your metabolism a spicy kick too!
4. Up your vitamin C content
This is essential for healthy skin and since we have more skin on show during the summer months, eating lots of foods rich in vitamin C is an important part of feeling your best. Eat plenty of fresh veggies and raw fruits, or try shaking Aduna Baobab Superfruit Powder into your water bottle to stay hydrated all day and max your intake - a single dose provides 33% of your daily requirement of vitamin C.
5. Go green
Adding more leafy greens into your diet is an easy way to stay energised this summer. Think broccoli, kale, rocket, collards, spinach, a variety of lettuces. Even small changes like opting for green tea over traditional breakfast tea.
Green veggies are particularly rich in vitamins such as A, C, K and minerals including magnesium and iron, all of which support energy release. If you struggle to eat enough of these then one of the best and easiest ways to increase your intake is to simply add some Aduna Moringa Superleaf Powder to your morning smoothie. Just blend with some avocado, banana and almond milk for one delicious start to the day.
6. Get the best out of your BBQ
Whilst BBQs are part of the fun of summertime, heating meats at very high temperatures is not something we should be doing on a regular basis. The best way to stay safe is to partially cook meats before putting them on to the grill, or cook smaller portions so there is less time for chemical compounds such as HCAs (heterocyclic amines) and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) to develop. These are worse on the blackened bits so make sure you cut these off before eating. Trust me these guys are not something you want to be consuming on a regular basis. It's also important to buy the best quality meats you can - preferably organic - and accompany with salads and fermented foods (such as sauerkraut), and use fats such as ghee, organic butter or coconut oil in your marinades. All these things help to reduce the negative effects.
Still looking for healthy ways to feel good this summer? Read our top summer superfood recipes for more inspiration.
