Summer is here! While the season brings with it a lot of great things (hello, summer vacay!), it also comes with a side dish of sweltering heat. We all have our methods for coping with those “it’s way too hot outside” days. Maybe you spend 24/7 by the pool or you crank up the AC. What we eat is an essential part of temperature control, and we can help with foods to stay cool in the summer. From what you eat to how you prepare it, here are some of our favorite ways to beat the heat with summer foods to keep you cool. 😎
COOL EATS FOR HOT DAYS
When it's hot outside, it's key to be intentional about what food you're eating. Fruits and veggies are vital, as they can help keep you hydrated and replenish essential vitamins and minerals. That’s especially true for seasonal fruit, such as watermelon, mangoes, and strawberries, which are bursting with flavor and nutritional benefits.
Other summer foods to keep you cool include meals that require little to no heat to prepare. Jumpstart your day with the sweet and energizing Berry Granola Breakfast Smoothie, topped with Reddi-wip®. Our Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl is also sure to start your day on a high note and our PB & J Overnight Oats are as simple as mixing together a few ingredients the night before.
For lunch and dinner, you can't go wrong with a traditional salad or a pasta salad, and there are so many delicious directions to take it. Here are some ideas to help you get started:
- Broccoli Crunch Salad: Crisp broccoli, bacon, dried cranberries, and red onion come alive with the help of Healthy Choice® garden French dressing.
- Fresh Asian Sesame Salad: Features bold Asian flavor with ingredients like cabbage, bell peppers, English cucumber, edamame, wonton strips, and fresh herbs all tossed and topped with P.F. Chang’s® Home Menu sesame sauce.
- Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Pasta Salad falls firmly in the “Can I get the recipe?” category.
- Zucchini Noodle Salad with Tomatoes (and mozzarella) is sure to be your next go-to picnic staple.
If you’ve had your fill of salad, there are still plenty of feel-good dishes that keep the temperature in check:
- Mahi Mahi with Tomatillo-Avocado Sauce, Black Quinoa and Roasted Asparagus screams summertime flavor with fresh ingredients and flavorful seasoning that keeps things light and breezy.
- Zucchini Spirals with Lemon Garlic Shrimp go from grocery tote to table in 10 minutes flat, giving you more time to enjoy those long summer nights.
- Fish Taco Grain Bowls with salmon, avocado, mango, and greener goddess dressing are the definition of “yum.”
- Cool and Easy Gazpacho: It wouldn’t be summer without a little gazpacho action made possible by tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
Make Your Next Party a "Cool" Party
From cookouts to beach bonfires, summer was practically made for parties. You’ve heard of a pool party, but how about a “cool” party? Gather up your crew for an afternoon of beating the heat together. Serve up some Tomato Watermelon Granitas, a shaved ice delight made extra refreshing thanks to watermelon, mint, and Hunt's® diced tomatoes. From there, it’s a vibrant assortment of party eats and appetizers, like our Vietnamese Summer Rolls, Rainbow Fruit Salad, and Watermelon Blueberry Pico Fruit Salsa. Your guests can also “take a dip” with Frontera® tortilla chips and guac.
As you sip and snack, stick your feet in a pool (a kiddie pool works great). You can also play games using ice. For example, try a colder version of hot potato by passing around an ice cube until the music stops. Oh, and without a doubt, this a great time to bust out the water balloons, squirt guns, and sprinklers!
KOOL DOWN YOUR KITCHEN
When it's summer, you certainly don't want to bring the heat into the kitchen with you. Not only can it be super uncomfortable, but it will throw your AC into overdrive and ramp up your energy bill. Here are some easy tips for controlling the temperature of your kitchen:
- Avoid the oven. Your oven is a surefire way to heat things up. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicious foods that can be cooked using counter appliances, like Birds Eye® Steamfresh® vegetables and meals for one. If you must use the oven, do it in the early morning when conditions are a little cooler.
- Take it outside! When you fire up the grill, you can enjoy a delicious meal without heating up your house. Win-win! Be sure to check out our list of easy weeknight grilling recipes.
- Close the blinds. Think about how much cooler it is in the shade. Closing the blinds is an easy way to bring that same effect into your kitchen.
- Use a fan. Air circulation can make a big difference when trying to feel cool. Put a fan in your kitchen to help dispel some of that stagnant air.
Whatever your summer plans are, we hope these tips and food to stay cool in the summer will keep you cool, comfy, and relaxed all the way through Labor Day.
