Food that cools you down À la minute

During this heatwave, it is crucial that you don't get any warmer than you already are. It makes sense that you don't feel like having hot pea soup with smoked sausage right now, but what do you want to eat instead? Something to cool down with, it seems.

That you have less or no appetite during periods of heat, is easily explained. We previously wrote that your body simply needs less energy to maintain its temperature, and on top of that, eating not only provides energy to warm up but also generates heat. No thanks. We asked Jaap Seidell, professor of nutrition and health at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, for more tips and tricks.

Sufficient fluids

It sounds obvious, and it is. During a heatwave, you need to drink, drink, drink. Keeping your fluid levels in check is essential because you can quickly become dehydrated when it's warm. Since you also need to eat and don't have much appetite, it's better to turn to water-rich fruits and vegetables. Think: (a salad of) watermelon, strawberries, cucumber, and lettuce. Fills you up a bit, helps a lot.

Small portions and easily digestible

Once again: you probably have little appetite. Because you don't want your body to work too hard, it's better to limit protein and fiber-rich foods. Huh? Isn't that good for you? Yes, but that's because it's harder to digest and therefore provides energy for a longer time. Exactly what you don't want during a period when you're melting like an ice cream.

Not too cold

Speaking of ice, contrary to all expectations, it's not a good idea to eat only ice (or lie in an ice bath). Your body interprets this as: alarm, alarm! All hands on deck to warm up! You'll be warm again in no time. Better is a lukewarm soup or a few liters of tea.

Kruid je leven op

Spicy and hot foods contain the substance capsaicin. That's the component that makes people sweat when they eat a pepper that is (too) hot. And hey, sweating cools you down, right? Exactly. So eat those peppers! Note: not in heavy, fatty curries with a lot of whole grain rice, that's hard to digest and costs your body too much energy. You'd better spend that energy on another dive in the pool.

Text: FavorFlav