More or less protein? The foods to get you through a heatwave

More or less protein? The foods to get you through a heatwave Image source, GettyByPhilippa RoxbyHealth reporterPublishedJust nowCommentsAs temperatures exceed 30C (86F) in some parts of the UK this week, the last thing people want to do is turn on the oven.Not only can cooking in hot weather feel like a chore, but many of us find ourselves feeling less hungry altogether.So when the heat gets too much, should we consider changing our diet?Here are four things to think about next time you're hot and hungry.1. Don't sweat over protein intakeImage source, Arx0ntImage caption, Cooking chicken in an air fryer uses less than half the energy of a conventional oven"There's no need for more protein in a heatwave," says Aisling Daly, senior lecturer in nutrition at Oxford Brookes University.But if you fancy it, most protein will need cooking (like meat, chicken and fish) and that can be off-putting in the heat. Even an outdoor BBQ can be too hot to handle.Enter the air fryer. Cooking a chicken leg or a potato in the worktop device uses less than half the energy of a conventional oven, according to Radio 4's Sliced Bread. And because they are smaller and speedier, they also pump less heat into your kitchen.But experts say don't forget about your slightly less fashionable slow cooker - likely buried in the back of your cupboard. Even though they run for longer, they're typically more energy efficient and release even less heat than the air fryer.The reality, though, is that simply by eating and digesting protein, our bodies produce more heat than other food groups.That's due to the energy needed by the stomach, intestines and liver to break down and absorb these complex molecules. So that steak you crave will only bring you out in a sweat. Try fruit, veg and carbs instead - as all are easier to digest.Dr Daly recommends pre-cooked meats, alongside things like bean salads, eggs and plenty of Greek yoghurt (frozen too).Making a smoothi...