MILAN – Proper hydration for a healthier lifestyle and to combat the heat, which often and liberally puts our bodies and sense of wellbeing to the test. This is one of the objectives of FEED your MIND!, the interactive exhibition organised by Nestlé, which aims to walk us through life’s metaphorical journey, from the first 1000 days in the life of a baby, to the future of food.
The 'Nutribubbles' installation
In a very special why, the interactive installation, “Nutribubbles” is intended to explain the fundamental role of water, micronutrients, vitamins and minerals contained in our food, which help us lead as healthy a life as possible, even in summer, as confirmed by statements made by Raffaella Cancello, nutritionist and researcher from the Italian Istituto Auxologico [institute of growth research]: “In the heat, it is important to hydrate properly. 70-80% of our daily intake is derived from liquids, drinks and water, but 20-30% is from food. Good nutrition is also meant to be enjoyable. The exhibition FEED your MIND! – adds Cancello – is precisely aimed at exploring the relationship between food, the mind and the emotions, established at our first heartbeat and accompanying us throughout our lives. The fresh and aromatic flavour of watermelon is something we discover when we are babies: every summer our taste memory reminds us of those first flavours, with pleasurable sensations that do our minds and bodies good”.
Foods for combatting the muggy weather
Food takes on a crucial role in our wellbeing during the summer season, but what should we choose? There are 4 rules for even combatting the muggy weather at the table, suggested by the nutritionist, Raffaella Cancello:
1. Fresh foods to be eaten raw: Generous salads, made with lettuce, cucumber and fresh tomatoes. These should always to be combined with just the right amount of protein, preferably fish, for its important poly-unsaturated fatty acids, valuable for the cardio-vascular system and easy to digest, but with a low calorie content.
2. Calcium, vitamin D: Eggs and cheese, sources of calcium and vitamin D, can replace the classic steak and cold meat dishes, which could be limited to once/twice a week.
3. Food with a high fluid content: Milk, dairy products, yoghurt and fermented milk (enriched with probiotics) are highly nutritious, have a high fluid content and are also useful for regulating the colon. Pasta or rice salad is excellent: these important sources of carbohydrates absorb up to around 70% of their weight in water during cooking. Water and micronutrients – vitamins and minerals – lost through perspiration can easily be replenished by eating two portions of fruit per day (around 400-500 grammes of fruit), to supplement a meal or as a snack.
4. Refreshing flavours and textures: ice-cream, if consumed as part of a balanced diet, helps overcome the heat. Combined with a couple of dry biscuits and a fruit salad, it can be a valid meal replacement on the hottest days. For those who are watching their calorie intake, sorbet and granita are preferable, fat-free and therefore lower in calories.
