Best Indian Summer Foods to Keep Kids Hydrated and Energized

Introduction

Now that winter has officially ended, and we are in the middle of spring awaiting summer, it's the right time to prepare your body for the upcoming hot season. Summertime means longer days and shorter nights and the temperature significantly moving towards the warmer end. While summer has a charm of its own, it is also very important to modify one's diet according to this season.

Parents must take care of water retention among kids because of higher temperature and loss of hydration from the body due to sweating. It is extremely important to introduce food items that are naturally water dense and also keep the child energized throughout the day. This ensures that the child stays away from any seasonal health ailments including dehydration.

Nutritious Summer Foods to Keep Kids Hydrated and Energized

Here is a list of some extremely delicious yet hydrating and energetic food options for you to make for your kids and ensure they have a healthy summer.

Dahi Vada

Dahi vada is a famous Indian dish that includes creamy curd mixed with a little bit of water to make a smooth mixture and vadas that are made with urad dal. It also contains different types of Indian spices, such as kala masala, red chili, coriander powder, Black pepper, and so much more.

It's like a blast of flavors and is also very comforting in taste. Eating curd during summer is very beneficial for the stomach as it contains good bacteria and is also quite hydrating. Urad dal is rich in carbohydrates, protein, and calcium. Dahi Vada can be a delicious evening treat for your kids whenever they're craving something delicious.

Chhachh

Chhachh or buttermilk is a byproduct of curd that is also very good for the gut. Parents may give a glass of buttermilk to the child every day to keep the gut health in check and also hydrating yet delicious. A great way to enhance the natural flavor of buttermilk is by adding some subtle spices, such as black pepper and salt, and mixing them well. Since buttermilk is also very light, it can be accompanied by a meal as it doesn't fill the stomach but provides instant freshness.

Watermelon

One of the most favorite summer fruits for everyone is Watermelon. It has a sweet yet refreshing flavor that instantly makes anyone feel better, including kids. Additionally, it is light and quite rich in various vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium and more. The high-water content in watermelon helps in water retention and it is also a rich source of various antioxidants. Adding watermelon to your kid’s summer diet can be a great idea to introduce a refreshing snack that is also a boost of many important nutrients and antioxidants.

Beetroot Salad

A beetroot salad is a crunchy and fresh mix of beetroot, boiled chickpeas, onion, tomatoes, and one may also add some other seasonal vegetables. This salad can be served to kids with different meals during the day. To add an Indian touch to the salads one can, add a tadka of some hot oil mixed with curry, leaves, mustard seeds, and asafetida, along with any other ingredient that they would like to add.

Mix everything very well and add a dash of salt as per taste. Just before serving, garnish the salad with some coriander leaves. Beetroot is a great source of various vitamins and potassium along with chickpeas that provide protein and carbohydrates to the body.

Cucumber

Cucumber is a common salad served with meals in India. A great aspect of cucumber is that it has a high amount of water naturally and is also rich in vitamin K as well as magnesium and potassium. Also, cucumbers are very rich in fiber, which means that one can have a large number of cucumbers without worrying about the calories, but always moderation is recommended. Parents can serve cucumbers to kids with every meal or as an evening snack with a bit of seasoning. Cucumbers can also be used as a primary ingredient in different types of salads such as a mixed chaat salad, and much more.

South Indian Curd Rice

If you're running late and want to make something quick yet perfect for summer, then curd rice can be on your list. This is a quick South Indian meal that uses leftover rice, mixed it with curd, with a tadka of curry, leaves, mustard seeds, and green chili. This is a simple yet wholesome meal perfect for children as curd has the required amount of nutrients rich in protein, calcium and probiotics. While the rice in the dish provides carbohydrates that give the required energy to the body.

Conclusion

Summer is a great time to change one's menu and introduce season specific recipes to make eating a bit more fun for kids. Parents should also try to integrate ingredients that cater to the specific body needs of kids during summer to keep the meals nutritious and balanced.