Monday July 18, 2022 promises to be very hot in France. The country, once again in the grip of a heat wave, will face scorching temperatures. To make the most of this heat wave, many tips are available (cooling your home, avoiding heat stroke, etc.). Sometimes the trickiest time in hot weather is mealtimes. Depending on desires, needs and possibilities, cooking during a heat wave can be complicated. As for drinks, it’s simpler. You have to stay hydrated as much as possible, the ideal being to drink water at room temperature. Alcohol and sugary drinks such as sodas are not recommended, they quench your thirst but do not hydrate. On the contrary, alcohol even tends to dehydrate.
As for food, some of them do not help the body to rest during a heat wave, quite the contrary. Santé Magazine explains that red meat, for example, is rich and requires a lot of energy to digest. It therefore raises the body temperature, which is not ideal! Food very high in salt such as fried foods or cold cuts: even if it is very good, anything with a lot of salt tends to dehydrate. Same for very sweet foods, even if they are comforting, they make you thirsty. A bad idea in hot weather. Strong spices: in addition to giving a real feeling of internal heat, they accentuate thirst. Ameli’s site states that, as with drinks that are too cold, dishes that are too cold should be avoided as they can cause stomach aches and require the body to work extra hard to return to 37°C afterwards.
Despite these recommendations, these foods are neither prohibited nor dangerous. They are to be consumed in moderation during heat waves in order to better live it. It is better to favor seasonal vegetables and fruits, containing a lot of water such as melon, watermelon, tomatoes or apricots for example.
