Summer time= Pitta time

Now that it's full blown summer here in the North American continent, let us talk about how our body, our digestion and our energy levels change and of course, how the food we consume influence our functional abilities.

According to Ayurveda, summer is the pitta season. Pitta is the digestive fire, the heat that body needs to maintain, for optimum functioning. Though the Vata and Kapha types enjoy this season to their fullest, Pitta people might go through some tough times, especially with all the heat from the sun. No doubt it feels amazing- trees, flowers, birds, bees, beautiful skies. Unfortunately, there could be some rough, hot patches for Pitta personalities.

Therefore, this time around Pitta types need to watch their diet. Excess heat generating foods like spices, hot peppers, oily, deep fried, meats, poultry, alcohol, coffee- must be avoided. Not just for Pitta types but here are a few guidelines about what you should/ should not eat so as to stay in line with the season and health.

- Local/ seasonal:

Most of us are blessed to be surrounded by local farms. Every city or town, most definitely, has its daily/weekly farmers market. Some farmers even let you shop directly at the farm where you can go and literally pick your own produce. So engage in such activities with your friends or family. It is a great experience for children in their growing years. This is the time, be one with nature!

Just like different seasons affect the quality of soil, amount of sunlight, rain and thus determine the crop cycles, our internal system also changes accordingly. We are a major part of this nature. And the one way nature helps us stabilize our system is by providing the right kind of food for each season. It is up to us to listen carefully and check out what nature has to offer us.

So, eat local and seasonal fruits/ veggies. Here, in southwestern Ontario, our summer usually begins with local asparagus, ramps, garlic scapes, strawberries, rhubarb, peas, beans etc. And this is just the beginning. A variety of local produce available at the market includes potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, eggplant, celery, carrots, zucchini, garlic, plums, cherries, grapes, apples and a lot more. And every single vegetable is so versatile that you can probably make it four different ways. No dinner repeats for minimum 2 weeks!

-Spices for Pitta

Not all spices are 'spicy'. Each spice has its own quality to complement other ingredients. There are some spices that actually help you digest food better, lower the chances of acid re-flux or heart burn and make you feel fantastic inside out. Be sure to include these in your diet to help you combat this unbearable heat. Cumin, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, turmeric, ginger, carom seeds, asafoetida, mustard seeds, saffron etc will get you through the pitta season.

- No greasy, no salty, no sour, no alcohol, no coffee, very little to no meat and poultry

As tempting at it is to sit on a patio, have a nice cold beer or a plate for barbecued steak and french fries, all of it is heating. Similarly, pickled vegetables, cheese, sour cream, olives, anything in a salt loaded brine are also pitta aggravating. Meaning, it produces too much heat in our body. And our body has several ways to react to high internal heat (aka high pitta). Rashes, pimples, boils, hives, piles, ulcers etc are some of the reactions when your pitta is too high. So stay away from these bad boys. A major source of caffeine is Coffee- a socially acceptable addiction- as some call it. Caffeine provokes all three dosha- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Therefore, caffeine intake also should be regulated. A good substitute could be the green and black teas. Albeit they contain caffeine, it is not as significant as in coffee. Even better, many Ayurvedic teas are known to have similar effects - anti-depressant, anti- oxidant, astringent taste etc. The best substitute for coffee.

- Say yes to sugar

Like the above mentioned foods have heating properties, sugar, on the other hand is a cooling food. CANE SUGAR is an absolute superstar. Make it a point to include at least 2 tsp cane sugar in your daily diet. Avoid processed sugars in colas, pops, cakes, cupcakes, crackers, energy bars and what not. Instead, add two spoons of CANE sugar to your sherbet, coffee or tea, smoothie etc. Read more about superfood sugar here.

- Eat the whole fruit

Store bought juices are an absolute no no. Though they claim to be all natural and have no added sugar, why waste money and opportunity to enjoy fresh delicious local fruits. The fiber from eating a whole fruit adds to your daily dietary fiber intake. Easy on your guts. No fiber supplements required!

- Stay hydrated

Most important, drink lots of water. Avoid bottled water. Instead carry your own filtered water and save the environment. Additionally, you may also make some yummy drinks that keep you hydrated. Explore some ideas here!

- Stay active

Don't just sit around, work, come home, watch tv, and sleep. It is gorgeous out there. Go for a walk in the park or a run along the beach. Join a local fitness group. Dance, kick box or simply jump rope! Everyday, minimum 30 min of physical activity is recommended for optimum health. There is always something that makes your happy.

And last but not the least, share your summer hacks with us in the comment section below! Stay cool.. stay happy!