Summer: Nutrition

Written By April Shewan
Here are some quick nutrition tips to keep you healthy this summer:Eat what’s in season: Just like we learned in this blog, the foundation of nutrition is eating what is able to be harvested at the time of consumption. During the summer, the choices are bountiful. The best way to know what’s in season is to visit a farmer’s market and talk to the growers, or consider joining a CSA which provides fresh local vegetables to you each week.Drink Mint Tea: Mint is cooling in nature and is the perfect summertime beverage to cool off. The most effective mint tea is homemade with fresh mint. Simply bring 2 cups of water to a boil and then lower to a strong simmer. Add in a handful of fresh mint, or a spoonful of dried, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes. Do not over steep as mint is delicate and you will lose the healing properties from over boiling. Once steeped, drink warm or refrigerate for a cool beverage to sip throughout the day.Avoid Greasy or Fried Foods: They clog up the digestive system which causes phlegm and damp, which we will learn more about later this summer. For the time being the important thing to note is to avoid an overabundance of these foodsLimit food and beverages that are warming in nature: These include meat, coffee, alcohol and the over consumption of spicy foods or the use of warming spices such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon Limit iced beverages and dairy: I know that nothing says summer more than ice cream however too much of it will wreak havoc on the digestive systemUse quick cooking methods such as sauteing: Although summer is the best time to consume raw fruits and vegetables, a diet that is fully composed of raw foods is considered damaging to the stomach in the long run. Ensure balance with all things, including cooking.

Here are some quick nutrition tips to keep you healthy this summer:

  • Eat what’s in season: Just like we learned in this blog, the foundation of nutrition is eating what is able to be harvested at the time of consumption. During the summer, the choices are bountiful. The best way to know what’s in season is to visit a farmer’s market and talk to the growers, or consider joining a CSA which provides fresh local vegetables to you each week.

  • Drink Mint Tea: Mint is cooling in nature and is the perfect summertime beverage to cool off. The most effective mint tea is homemade with fresh mint. Simply bring 2 cups of water to a boil and then lower to a strong simmer. Add in a handful of fresh mint, or a spoonful of dried, and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes. Do not over steep as mint is delicate and you will lose the healing properties from over boiling. Once steeped, drink warm or refrigerate for a cool beverage to sip throughout the day.

  • Avoid Greasy or Fried Foods: They clog up the digestive system which causes phlegm and damp, which we will learn more about later this summer. For the time being the important thing to note is to avoid an overabundance of these foods

  • Limit food and beverages that are warming in nature: These include meat, coffee, alcohol and the over consumption of spicy foods or the use of warming spices such as ginger, turmeric and cinnamon 

  • Limit iced beverages and dairy: I know that nothing says summer more than ice cream however too much of it will wreak havoc on the digestive system

  • Use quick cooking methods such as sauteing: Although summer is the best time to consume raw fruits and vegetables, a diet that is fully composed of raw foods is considered damaging to the stomach in the long run. Ensure balance with all things, including cooking.


April Shewan
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