Summer is hot, and besides feeling tired and sleepy, many people also experience loss of appetite, especially older adults and children. So what can you do if you don't feel like eating in the summer? You can try the following tips to adjust your appetite.
Eat some sour foods to stimulate your appetite
When you have no appetite, it might be helpful to eat some sour foods, such as hawthorn, tangerine peel, pineapple, lemon, kiwi, etc. These sour foods can help generate fluids, quench thirst, promote digestion, and increase gastric acidity, making you more hungry. In addition to eating sour foods directly, you can also add some appetizing seasonings to your cooking. It is best to avoid hard-to-digest foods, as they may affect digestion.
Eat foods that benefit the spleen and stomach to enhance gastrointestinal function
In hot summer weather, it is best to eat foods like mung beans, bitter gourd, pumpkin, winter melon, tomatoes, etc. to benefit the spleen and stomach and enhance gastrointestinal function. These foods also help clear heat and detoxify the body. Additionally, they can help remove dampness, as dampness is a common cause of poor appetite. It is also important to replenish sufficient salt to relieve fatigue and improve appetite.
Drink a glass of water one hour before meals
In extremely hot weather, many people like to drink a lot of cold beverages. Many of these beverages contain a lot of sugar, which can be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and make you feel full, thus reducing your appetite. Therefore, it is best to avoid sugary cold drinks in the summer to prevent excessive sugar intake leading to obesity and potential harm to the digestive system. Instead, it is recommended to drink a glass of water one hour before meals to relieve dehydration and promote gastrointestinal motility, effectively stimulating your appetite.
Don't overeat cold and raw foods
Many people like to eat cold noodles, lettuce salad, and other similar foods in the summer. Although these foods can temporarily stimulate your appetite, they are all considered cold foods, and overconsumption can harm the gastrointestinal system and cause indigestion. Therefore, it is best to eat them in moderation and preferably pair them with warm foods such as pork and beef. For vegetables, it is best to cook them in water or stir-fry them before consumption. When you have no appetite, you can also eat easily digestible foods such as millet porridge and noodles, and add ingredients like mint, perilla leaves, scallions, and ginger to enhance your appetite and promote digestion. You can also eat foods like winter melon, mung beans, and coix seed, which can help relieve heat, eliminate toxins, and dispel dampness.
Supplement vitamin B to improve appetite
In summer, due to excessive consumption of cold drinks and water, as well as excessive sweating, the body's vitamin B content can be easily depleted, leading to loss of appetite. Vitamin B1 in the B complex is responsible for converting carbohydrates in food into glucose, providing the necessary energy for brain and nervous system function. Vitamin B2 is responsible for converting heat into energy, helping the body release energy from fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Therefore, it is recommended to eat foods rich in vitamin B complex in the summer, such as legumes, wheat germ, brown rice, dairy products, and green leafy vegetables.
Supplement low-fat high-quality protein to promote appetite and digestion
In a hot environment, the body's metabolic rate tends to increase rapidly, coupled with excessive sweating, resulting in nitrogen loss in the sweat. If nutrition cannot keep up with the loss, negative nitrogen balance can occur, leading to symptoms such as lower back pain, fatigue, and dizziness. Therefore, it is necessary to eat more low-fat high-quality protein foods such as eggs, dairy products, fish, shrimp, and soy products to supplement nutrition.
Exercise moderately to consume energy and promote appetite
Engaging in moderate exercise such as running, badminton, swimming, etc. every day, sweating a little and consuming some energy can help stimulate hunger. However, it is important to avoid excessive and intense exercise, as it may worsen your appetite. After exercising, remember not to overeat to avoid harming the gastrointestinal system.
