What To Eat When You're Dying of Heat

BettyConfidential.com

Six refreshing food choices that will cool you down on those sweltering scorches.

- Melanie Kozlan, BettyConfidential.com

Heatwaves tend to have a way of killing appetites and making us feel too lazy to cook. Before succumbing to a Freezie and popsicles diet, try out these easy, energy-boosting, oven-free meals and nutritional necessities.

1. Quinoa

This grain-like superfood originates from the Spinach family, is gluten-free, low in calories and has all ten amino acids. Swimming with vitamins and essential nutrients, Quinoa is a versatile bowl of energy. You can eat it like rice, or mixed up in a salad.

2. Coconut Water

It has more electrolytes than Gatorade, and is the ultimate source of energy, hydration and potassium. It's basically like water -- if water was delicious and had super powers. It may not feature the convenience of coming from a tap, but it is available in most grocery and organic food stores.

3. Cold Soup

Sure there is gazpacho, but there are plenty of other cold soups you can stir up. My favorite is avocado. It's always delicious and refreshing, particularly when it's exceedingly hot outside.

4. VLT

Unless you feel like making some vegan bacon, the VLT is the ultimate summer sandwich. Refreshing, light and healthy, it takes literally a second to make and you can easily grow the lettuce and tomatoes in your garden (but that will add to your sandwich-making time, obviously).

5. BBQ!

The barbecue may be hot, but it takes a second to make corn on the cob, potatoes, or grill some delicious portobello mushrooms. The fun part about barbecuing is that it makes everything taste summery, so get creative with what you decide to grill. It's best to always use a gas barbecue or charcoal made from recycled wood, since charcoal barbecues are slower and produce carbon monoxide.

6. Salads

Versatile and best of all, cold! You can make potato, macaroni, green, caesar, and greek salads, or create your own with your favorite vegetables. To beat laziness and sun fatigue, it's best to make a huge salad at the beginning of the week and resort back to it throughout the week.

Melanie Kozlan is the Senior Content Director of Four Green Steps-

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