Keep it light, sleep tight: Summer dinners that love you back!
On hot summer nights, our bodies crave rest—but heavy dinners can do the exact opposite. Late-night indigestion, no sleep due to restlessness, and bloating are signs that your dinner may be too rich for this season.
The secret? Practice eating light, hydrating, and sleep-friendly meals. Follow these tips and meals that work for everyone.
When temperature rises, our digestive systems work a bit slow. Heavy or spicy meals take longer to process and can interrupt your sleep. This may lead to discomfort, dehydration, or even disturbed sleep cycles.
Eating light not only improves your digestion but helps regulate body temperature during the hot summer season, allowing you to sleep peacefully.
Follow these tips to make your summer dinner plate healthy.
Curd Rice with a Twist: Add grated cucumber, chopped mint, and roasted cumin to your curd rice. It’s cooling, enriched with probiotics, and perfect for all age groups.
Lauki Soup with Garlic Toast: Bottle gourd or lauki is a natural coolant. Simply boil and blend with ginger, garlic, and a pinch of pepper. Pair with a whole wheat garlic toast.
Moong Dal Chilla Wrap: Stuff protein-packed moong dal chilla with sautéed veggies along with a spoon of hung curd is a perfect dinner for summer season. The best part? It's under 300 calories.
Vegetable Khichdi with Ghee: Ditch heavy masalas for turmeric and cumin. Add some seasonal veggies for a wholesome yet light one-pot meal.
Cold Millet Salad: Foxtail millet tossed with boiled corn, chopped onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, and lemon juice are perfect dishes for hot summer nights. Store it cold, eat it fresh.
Steamed Idlis with Coconut Chutney: Fermented, steamed, and oil-free—ideal for humid nights in coastal regions of India.
Oats & Vegetable Pancakes: Prepare a batter with oats, carrots, onions, green chilies, and curd. Pan-fry the batter lightly. Don't forget to add some coriander leaves.
Add following natural sleep boosters to your plate:
Banana: Rich in magnesium and serotonin.
Warm turmeric milk: Promotes melatonin release
Chamomile tea: Soothes nerves and promotes sleep
Soaked almonds or walnuts: These provide healthy fats and proteins for stable blood sugar overnight.
Do’s:
Don’t:
So tonight, swap the heavy butter naan for a bowl of soothing khichdi. Let your body rest. You’ll wake up feeling fresher, cooler, and well-rested tomorrow.
