The prime mantra to living healthy based on Ayurvedic principles is to understand that our food has a direct impact on our mind and body. Just like our bodies, the seasons too are characterized by doshas. Summer is the season of heat and brightness and is known to be the time of Pitta dosha. It hence aggravates imbalance especially in individuals of Pitta Prakriti. The right foods can help you keep cool and rejuvenate with the right amount of strength, peace, and immunity. Here are some superfoods that we believe are a must-have in your Summer diet.

Gooseberry - Amla
This sour-bitter fruit has the sweetest benefits to give to your body. It is popular for all the right reasons - Vitamin C, A, healthy hair, gut and glowing skin. Moreover, there are endless ways to gorge on this pungent berry. You can make Murabba following your family’s secret recipe or have a glass of amla juice every morning. Alternatively, you can add a few chopped pieces in your salad or make Amla jam and use it as a spread on your toast for a power-packed breakfast.

Alkaline Vegetables
The gastric acid secreted by our stomach is what breaks down the food that we consume but the acidic level of the body increases in Summer. It makes one more vulnerable to acid refluxes. To keep it in balance, you must include alkaline vegetables in your diet - bell peppers, cucumbers, healthy greens like lettuce, cabbage, parsley, root vegetables like sweet potatoes, beetroots, carrots, etc. They not only quench your thirst, but also give you the cooling goodness to feel fresh all day.

Coconuts
One of the healthiest electrolytes that we can enjoy in Summers is definitely coconut water. This refreshing drink not only helps rejuvenate your body system, but also keeps you hydrated in extreme heat along with essential minerals like zinc, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. You can use coconut water in making your daily smoothies, or have a glass of it with your salad. 

Hydrating fruits
Nothing smells and looks better than a bowl of fruits on a sweltering day! It is a pleasant sight for the mind, body, and soul. It’s the season of delicious water-rich fruits like melons, berries, pineapples, peaches, mangoes and there are endless ways to include food in your diet. Blend in all and sip them up every afternoon and have them as pulpy and juicy as they come. 

Cardamom
Cardamom is a staple condiment for our curries and rice dishes, and adds more than just a sweet, aromatic flavour to them - it’s rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron and magnesium. Cardamom stimulates the digestive fire and increases appetite. It’s cooling for the stomach and helps pacify the Pitta Dosha in the Summer. Grind the seeds in a mortar and pestle, and add a pinch to your daily cup of tea or chew on the pods after your meals to freshen your breath.

Herbs
Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Tulsi and Mint are known to help your body stay cool. Ashwagandha reduces inflammation, Brahmi soothes the body nerves, and Tulsi and Mint act as cleansing and cooling agents. So don’t forget to toss them into a nicely blended smoothie or brew them in your favourite herbal tea, the next time you spot them in your home garden.

Ghee
Ayurveda experts swear by ghee as an essential food item to help our body keep going. It is loaded with healthy fats, and that might not sound like the thing you would like to gorge on in Summer. But the season is known to make our bodies dry and consuming half a spoon of ghee, in any form, helps balance the internal moisture. It aids digestion and brings our doshas in balance. 

Sattu
Sattu has been long known for its instant cooling effect on the body. It is extremely high in fibre which makes it good for the intestines, and easy to digest. Adding sattu in your diet gives you the energy you need, while keeping the cool that helps you sail through a scorching day.