Heatwave Alert: 7 Foods Expert Recommends Avoiding

Heatwaves can affect your health negatively in many ways. They can cause dehydration, mild discomfort to even life-threatening emergencies like heatstroke. Eating the right foods during a heatwave can keep your overall health good. There are certain foods which must be avoided during this time. If you want to know what these foods are, then keep reading.

To understand this better, we reached out to Ms Edwina Raj, Head of Services, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore.

Foods to Avoid During Heatwave

Ms Raj says that during a heatwave, the body loses more water and salts through sweating. “Therefore, eating the wrong foods can make you feel tired, dehydrated, or uncomfortable. Some foods increase body heat, slow down digestion, or cause dehydration, which is why it is important to choose light and cooling meals during very hot weather,” she explains. The expert lists down certain foods which should be avoided during heatwave:

Spicy Foods 

These are one of the main foods to avoid during a heatwave. Too much chili and strong spices can increase sweating and make the body feel hotter. 

Fried and Oily Foods 

These should also be avoided because they are heavy to digest and can make you feel sluggish and bloated in high temperatures.

Red Meat 

This is another food that may increase body heat because it takes longer to digest and produces more heat inside the body.

Processed Foods 

Processed foods such as chips, instant noodles, and packaged snacks, often contain high amounts of salt, which can increase dehydration.

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Sugary Foods and Sweets 

These may give quick energy, but they can also make you feel more tired later and may affect hydration levels.

Caffeinated Drinks 

These drinks, such as strong coffee and energy drinks, should be limited during extreme heat because too much caffeine can increase dehydration in some people. 

Alcohol 

It is also not recommended during a heatwave because it removes water from the body and increases the risk of dehydration and dizziness.

Salty Pickles and Junk Foods 

They should be eaten carefully because excess salt can make the body retain less balanced fluids. 

Hot Soups and Heavy Meals 

These may also make the body uncomfortable during high temperatures.

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Conclusion

Instead of these foods, it is better to eat fresh fruits, vegetables, curd, coconut water, watermelon, cucumber, and light home-cooked meals during heatwave. Drinking enough water throughout the day is very important during this time. Eating smaller and lighter meals can help the body stay cool, active, and hydrated during extremely hot weather.