Summer is exactly the time of the year when even if you eat the simplest meals, you can feel heavy and lethargic. This is because our metabolism slows down as the climate temperature rises. So, the hotter the summer, the slower your metabolism. It is due to this slow mechanism that many of us feel heavy after eating traditional meals comprising of elaborate veggie, meat or rice dishes.
The easiest way to overcome this issue of slow metabolism while maintaining your nutrition and health levels is to eat more salads during summertime. Salads, when made properly, combine the best of fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds, dairy, protein and grains. They are nothing short of a balanced meal in a bowl, while also being nutritious and delicious.
But the problem with salads in summer is that as much as we would love to pack them with goodies, they can get heavier. This in turn can lead to the salads becoming too heavy or unhealthy, leading to a burden on your metabolism instead of helping it stay lighter. Often, we also end up adding certain ingredients to salads that impair digestion or lead to dehydration, which can do you more harm than good.
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Wondering how to not make these mistakes while whipping up salads this summer? Here are some essential tips that will come in handy.
Get Fresh Produce
Summer is the season of fresh fruits and vegetables, so make sure you include a variety of them in your salad. From mangoes and peaches to papayas and pineapples, these fruits will add a bit of freshness to the bowl. At the same time, herbs and green leafy vegetables can also add freshness and flavour. When it comes to veggies, opt for raw ones that don’t need much cooking, like cucumber, tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, etc.
Be Picky About Protein
Adding protein to your summer salad is essential as it will make the dish more balanced and wholesome, but you must be selective with the proteins. For example, adding spicy sausages or fried chicken to your salad can lead to digestive problems, while adding lighter proteins like paneer, boiled chicken, steamed fish and nuts can help your immunity, nutrition and digestion stay perfectly fine.
Add Healthy Fats
Believe it or not, your body requires healthy fats to function just as much as it needs carbs and proteins. So, while you shouldn’t be adding excessive amounts of fried elements to your salads, you can add whole eggs and non-processed cheese varieties like feta cheese, halloumi, etc. You should also add olives, dry fruits, nuts and seeds as these also have healthy amounts of good fats.
Watch Salt And Sugar
Excess of both salt and sugar can make your meals heavier and lead to dehydration. The most common way sodium and sugar sneak into salads is through processed foods. Whether you are adding store-bought salad dressings, croutons, canned fruits, glazed nuts or processed meats, all of these ingredients have artificial sugar and sodium to enhance flavours. So, avoid these actively.
Choose Light Dressings
A good dressing can make or break your salad, so make sure that you get the right one for the summer season. It is best to keep the dressing light, so opt for vinaigrettes instead of mayonnaise-based salad dressings. Make sure you play around with fresh ingredients like lemon juice, limes, oranges, pineapples, and other citrus fruits instead of heavy ingredients like mustard and mayonnaise.