Summer’s here, we are forever thirsty, and we need to drink – a lot!
There’s a lot of buzz around sticking to Indian, homemade cool drinks instead of the packaged, bottled fizzy stuff. After all, who wants to eat up unhealthy preservatives, sweeteners and of course, humongous calories? Plus, we have a long enough repertoire of local, extremely delicious drinks to choose from, which help the body stock up on essential vitamins and minerals – besides preventing dehydration.
But there’s a caveat: while these sweet, refreshing drinks are usually extremely healthy, they often add up a lot of liquid calories.
After all, these drinks, however healthy and good for us, are not plain water. So it’ll help to exercise some caution and keep an eye on the calorie meter as we sip their goodness.
Read on as we thrash out 12 common summer coolers.
Sattu Sherbet
This is our own indigenous substitute for whey protein shake, and a far better one than that. It delivers wholesome protein, and is good for the gut too. Usually had sweet, some people skip the jaggery and make it savoury instead by adding black salt and roasted cumin powder.
Calorie Meter: 210 calories per glass (savoury); 270 calories per glass (sweet)
Kokum
This indigenous berry is not just one of the best known natural coolants for our body, it also enhances our immune function, keeps the stomach sorted, keeps constipation away, and is a known anti-carcinogenic agent.
Calorie Meter: 75 calories per glass
Watermelon Juice
Loaded with antioxidants and potassium (helps keep the blood pressure down) watermelon juice is sweet in itself so doesn't need any additional sugar/jaggery.
Calorie Meter: 80 calories per glass
Rose Milk
A refreshing glass, this delivers the benefits of dairy (protein and calcium) and instant energy; plus, rose is an analgesic, bronchodilator, and also anti-inflammatory.
Calorie Meter: 180 calories per glass
Aam Panna
This khatta meetha drink made from unripe mangoes helps protect from sun stroke, and prevents the loss of sodium chloride (salt) and iron from the body.
Calorie Meter: 100 calories per glass
Vasantha Neer
Made with coconut water, a little honey and a dash of lime, this traditional drink is instantly hydrating and delivers ample amount to electrolytes lost during summer days.
Calorie Meter: 50 calories per glass
Jaljeera
This tangy drink boosts digestion, prevents anaemia, relieves an upset stomach and helps treat nausea and giddiness.
Calorie Meter: 10-20 calories per glass
Chaach
Loaded with the cooling properties and the probiotic goodness of yoghurt, this is a rehydrating drink with fabulous digestive properties.
Calorie Meter: 80 calories per glass; sweet lassi will deliver 140 calories
Bael Sherbet
Besides being cooling, bael (wood apple) helps boosts the immune system, fights off bacterial and viral infections, reduces inflammation and prevents and cures constipation.
Calorie Meter: 110 calories per glass
Thandai
This is an intrinsically cooling drink which rehydrates instantly and its medley of ingredients (milk, watermelon seeds, almonds, rose petals and saffron) deliver a powerhouse health kick. It’s a great immune booster and detoxifier.
Calorie Meter: 210 calories per glass
Shikanji
This simple yet effective beverage is possibly the most popular summer cooler across India – and why not? It is a fabulous detox and a brilliant source of immunity-boosting vitamin C.
Calorie Meter: 60 calories per glass
Piyush
A popular Maharashtian summer drink, Piyush is soothing, refreshing, protein rich, yet completely decadent, as it is made by combining shrikhand, buttermilk and myriad dry fruits.
Calorie Meter: above 500 calories per glass
Note: All calorie counts are approximate and can vary
(The author is a nutritionist, weight management consultant and health writer based in Delhi. She is the author of Don't Diet! 50 Habits of Thin People (Jaico) and Ultimate Grandmother Hacks: 50 Kickass Traditional Habits for a Fitter You (Rupa).)
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