Summer is notorious for beach days, cold beers, and ice cream.  It’s all about conquering the heat. However, foods that seem cooling are not always the healthiest choices.

The best way to stay cool in the summer is to eat fruits and vegetables with high water content. Eating hydrating foods (and carrying a water bottle with you wherever you go) will have you feeling great all day long.

Top heat-busting foods for summer:

Citrus Fruits

Due to their high water content, incorporating fresh citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits into your diet will help keep you cool on those hot summer days. Citrus fruits are packed with nutrients and phytochemicals, but are most well-known for their high vitamin C content. Citrus has an incredible cooling effect on the body and also promotes detoxification. Adding lemon to your water will encourage you to drink more water overall, plus you get skin and immune-boosting benefits.

Melons

A day at the beach just does not feel right for me without some fresh slices of watermelon. Containing mostly water, watermelon is the perfect summer snack. It also has a higher concentration of lycopene (a powerful antioxidant) than most other fresh fruits or vegetables. You can also quench your thirst and keep from overheating with honeydew, cantaloupe, and other juicy melons. A tip for optimal digestion: it’s best to eat melons alone on an empty stomach, at least half an hour before your meals.

Fresh Veggies

Summer is an amazing time for veggies and the best season for eating more raw foods, like salads and smoothies. Did you know that celery contains 95% water while cucumber contains 96% water? Slice up your cucumber and sprinkle some sea salt for an easy, hydrating snack.  Or have a green juice with plenty of cucumber, kale, celery and lemon. This will be sure to cool you right down!

Mint

Mint is the ultimate cooling herb that can be used in your cooking, smoothies, tea, or simply add to your water bottle. It can also be used externally as an essential oil to give you that cooling feeling and to help relieve stress. Try tossing mint into your salads or add it to your juices for extra cooling effects. If you like mint, I recommend you try this berry-mojito juice.

Next time you’re feeling lethargic and overheated on a scorching summer day, reach for nutrient-rich, plant-based, hydrating foods. Not only will they support your immune system and boost your energy, they’ll help keep you comfortable in the heat.