Out here in the western U.S. temperatures have soared into the triple-digits. While staying in a cool space and keeping hydrated are always recommended, what foods serve your body best?
Eat these foods:
The #1 suggestion from all sources is to consume food that contains a high concentration of water.
Examples of fruits and veggies include cucumbers, celery, carrots and broccoli along with apples, watermelon, peaches and papaya.
Stay away from:
Commercial sports drinks that contain more than 8% glucose and those with high concentrations fructose Why? the sugar slows down the body's ability to absorb water if you're exercising in high heat.
Sugary soft drinks and energy drinks also contain a high level of fructose or glucose and present the say problem as sports drinks.
Caffeinated drinks can act as a diuretic, rendering your body unable to maintain fluids at the proper level.
Alcoholic beverages like beer present the same diuretic effect as caffeinated drinks. Hard alcohol slows your body down, impedes performance and fills you with a lot of calories without enough carbohydrate nutrition.
Heavy foods with high calorie content, including anything batter fried. The body heats up in an effort to digest high-caloric and heavy foods.
Protein rich meals will provoke the same metabolic body heat issues. It turns out that carbohydrates in bread and fruit are more easily digested, so Atkins fans should give it a short rest in a heat wave.
Spicy foods filled with the compound capsaicin. It is at its highest concentration in all chili peppers. Some studies have demonstrated that it can elevate body temperature on a temporary basis.
In general, doctors recommend these measures in a major heat wave:
• Eating less rather than more and consuming smaller meals on a more frequent basis.
• On the hydration front, drink at least 64 ounces of water and fluids without sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
• Slip yourself into a cool water bath.
• If you have a basement, take refuge there.
• Find a public building that is air conditioned. Public libraries serve as cooling centers in many major cities.
• Use fans for air circulation
• Keep electric lights off and shut down as many household appliances and electronic equipment as you can
