11 Genius Food Hacks to Stay Cool This Summer
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Heat waves been freaking you out? Because same. Loads of sunshine, soaring temps and record-breaking heat mean it’s more important than ever to stay cool for the summer. And, turns out, what you eat can not only help hydrate you but bring your body temp down as well.
From consuming hot soup (for real) to adding chia seeds to your smoothie and cooling spices to meals, we’ve sourced the best, most genius food hacks—straight from the mouths of experts—to help you have your most refreshing, coolest-summer-ever. Enjoy!
Pair an apple with your bottled water
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, and when combined with a bottle of water, you’ll stay cooler for longer in the hot summer heat too. According to Integrative Medical Doctor and Cure Medical Advisor Dr. Dana Cohen, an apple and a bottle of water is more hydrating than two bottles of water. “You get the fiber and minerals from the fruit, which allow that water to be better absorbed into your cells and held onto longer in your body.”
Add chia seeds to your green smoothie
If you’re looking for an easy way to boost hydration without pounding even more water, try drinking a green smoothie with chia seeds sprinkled in. “Chia seeds are especially hydrating since they hold water,” says Cohen.
Beat the heat with a bowl of hot soup
Hot tip: eat hot soup to cool down. Sounds counterintuitive, but it actually works. “The idea is that eating hot food increases your body’s internal temperature, causing you to sweat more,” says Head of Branded Food at Thrive Market James Ren. “Sweat is your body's cooling system, so when your sweat naturally evaporates, your body becomes cooler than ever before.”
Indulge in some ice cream
Make your own vegan version at home for a healthier spin on this super cooling and delicious summer treat. “When you consume something that's colder than your body temperature, like ice cream, your body has to use energy to warm the ice cream up to body temperature, which in turn can create a cooling effect,” explains Celebrity chef and Certified Nutritionist Serena Poon, CN, CHC, CHN. This is a process known as diet-induced thermogenesis. “Additionally, the sensory perception of the creamy and refreshing taste of ice cream can often lead to a psychological perception of cooling down,” she adds.
Add cooling spices to your meals
Spice up your life and your summer meals! While certain spices are indeed hot and spicey, others can have a cooling effect on your body and mind while flavoring your food at the same time. Katie Silcox, internationally-recognized Ayurveda teacher and author of Glow-Worthy, recommends adding cooling spices like cumin, cilantro, coriander, fennel, mint and turmeric to your summer meals to keep your body temperature down.
Eat more berries to fight the sunburn
Jessica Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, CDE, Associate Wellness and Nutrition Manager at Montefiore Medical Center, says eating antioxidant-rich berries (like blueberries) and proper protein may assist with the healing proces of a sunburn, which can make your skin feel super hot to the touch.
Consume foods high in water content
The best way to cool down and sneak in a little extra hydration? Consume foods high in water content. “Toss together sliced cucumbers, watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple and leave them in the fridge to chill,” advises Dr. Mindy Pelz, author of The Menopause Reset and Fast Like a Girl. “They’re all more than 80% water, which makes them a refreshing way to stay cool and hydrated.”
Switch to iced coffee (with a twist)
Hot coffee in the heat? No thanks. “Brew a bunch of normal coffee, pour it into ice cube trays, and freeze it overnight,” suggests Pelz. “Then, in the morning, make iced coffee using the frozen coffee cubes. Your first cup of the day will be ice-cold without the dilution you get from normal ice.”
Make your own homemade popsicles
There’s nothing like a cold fruit popsicle on a hot day. And bonus: kids love them too! Chef Adrianne Calvo recommends purreing fruits like strawberries, mangoes or peaches and mix them with a little bit of lemon juice and honey. Then freeze them in popsicle molds. “For an adult version, try adding a little bit of wine or spirits to the fruit puree before freezing.”
Prepare a salad in a jar
For an easy, portable and refreshing meal that’s extra cooling, prepare salads in a mason jar. “Start with the dressing on the bottom, add harder vegetables next, then lighter ones, and put your leafy greens at the top to keep them crisp,” says Calvo. Then, enjoy!
Snack on frozen grapes
Seriously, so good and easy too! According to Calvo, frozen grapes are the perfect sweet, healthy treat that's also great at cooling you down. “You can also use frozen grapes as a way to chill wine without watering it down,” she notes.
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