Monsoon diet: What to eat and what to avoid during the rainy season

The transition from scorching summer heat to a refreshing rainy season surely brings respite. But rain also gives a favourable environment for the germination of disease-causing microorganisms. From food infections to mosquito-borne diseases, the rainy season can cause several kinds of illnesses. So to stay in the pink of your health and keep your immune system healthy in this season, you need to eat a balanced diet. Having a nutritious and healthy diet can keep you safe from disease and even ensure a quick recovery. Taking care during the rainy season is even more important when COVID-19 is wreaking havoc all over the world. Here is what you should eat and what you should avoid in the monsoon.

In some houses, people drink water directly from the kitchen tap and borewell. What they do not realise is that in the rainy season it could easily get contaminated with germs. Drinking this water could cause stomach infections, diarrhoea or typhoid.

We all enjoy lip-smacking pakoras and samosas in the rain. But having too much of these oily and spicy treats may make you feel bloated. Stomach related issues are common in the rainy season because humidity slows down our metabolism. This also makes it hard for our stomach to absorb nutrients from the food.

It is recommended to eat leafy green all the year as they are the nutritional powerhouse. But in the rainy season, it is best to avoid them. The green can go bad easily in this season due to moisture on the leaves. Besides, the humidity in the weather makes the cruciferous plants a perfect breeding ground for germs. It is better to avoid foods like spinach, cabbage, and cauliflower in this season.

Our body loses lots of fluid in the monsoon due to humidity and sweat. To fulfil the requirement of fluid in the body, one must have lots of water, fluid and masala chai. Herbal concoction or masala chai made with spices like tulsi, ginger, cardamom can boost your immunity and prevent all kinds of infection.

Salads are undoubtedly healthy and nutritious, but adding raw veggies to them in monsoon may be an invitation to health problems. Some vegetables contain a high amount of microbes due to dirt, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues. So, instead of raw salads, have boiled, blanched or sauteed veggies. Seafood must also be avoided in this season.

Spices are loaded with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Adding more spices like turmeric, black pepper and clove in your diet may protect against infection and reduce symptoms like cold and flu. They may also help to boost immunity.