Summer is a season of sunshine, vacations, and refreshing outdoor activities. However, it also brings with it extreme temperatures that can affect our health and well-being. While indulging in crispy, golden fried foods might seem tempting, it's wise to reconsider this choice, especially during the hot summer months.
To understand why you should say a big ‘no no’ to fried foods as temperatures continue to rise, OnlyMyHealth spoke to Ramya B, Registered Dietitian, Cloudnine group of Hospitals, Chennai.
Here are reasons listed by Ramya on why avoiding fried foods in summer is a smart move for your health and comfort.
1. Heat and Dehydration
“Fried foods are typically high in fat, which can raise body temperature and contribute to dehydration,” Ramya explained. This effect can be particularly uncomfortable during hot summer days.
2. Digestive Issues
The high fat content in fried foods can be heavy on the digestive system, potentially causing indigestion, bloating, and discomfort. Additionally, Ramya said, “In summer, your body already works harder to stay cool, so avoiding foods that add extra stress to the digestive system is beneficial.”
3. Increased Sweating
“Consuming greasy and fatty foods can lead to excessive sweating, as the body expends more energy to digest these foods. This can make you feel more uncomfortable in the heat,” Ramya said.
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4. Overall Health
Fried foods are generally high in calories, unhealthy fats, and sometimes trans fats, contributing to weight gain and other health issues like heart disease. Maintaining a lighter diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is healthier, especially during the summer, Ramya recommended.
5. Heat-Related Illnesses
Overeating heavy, greasy foods can exacerbate the risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion, by making it harder for the body to regulate its temperature efficiently.
6. Food poisoning
Fried foods kept for long hours are susceptible to micro-organism growth. Bacteria and other microbial growth will be higher during summer and chances of getting food poisoning are high.
It is advisable to opt for lighter, hydrating, and more easily digestible foods that can help you stay cool and comfortable during the summer months.
According to Ramya, both the very young and the elderly should exert particular caution with fried foods during the summer.
1. Children
Sensitive Digestive Systems : Young children have developing digestive systems that may struggle with the high fat content in fried foods, leading to indigestion or discomfort.
Dehydration Risk: Children are more susceptible to dehydration, especially in the heat, and fried foods can exacerbate this risk by increasing body temperature and reducing fluid intake.
Nutritional Needs: Children need a balanced diet rich in nutrients for proper growth and development, and consuming too many fried foods can displace more nutritious options.
Also read: Is Deep Fried Better Than Air Fried? Explains Nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar
2. Elderly Adults
Slower Metabolism: Aging slows down the metabolism, making it harder for the body to process high-fat foods efficiently. It leads to digestive-related issues and other serious complications
Chronic Conditions: Many elderly individuals have chronic health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high cholesterol, which can be worsened by consuming fried foods.
Dehydration Risk: Older adults are also more prone to dehydration and heat-related illnesses, and the added strain of digesting fried foods can increase these risks.
Conclusion
In general, people of all ages should moderate their intake of fried foods, especially during hot weather, to maintain overall health and comfort. However, children and the elderly should be particularly cautious due to their increased vulnerability to the negative effects of fried foods and summer heat.