Monsoon Diet Tips: Dos And Don’ts of Eating This Rainy Season

Monsoon diet: How do you avoid getting sick in this season? Watching what to eat and what not to eat!

The monsoon brings relief from the heat, invigorates the beauty of nature and triggers hunger for munching on delicious hot greasy meals. It also changes the temperature of the climate, humidity and affects the immune system. The onset of the monsoon also means the rise of different kinds of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, typhoid fever, and many more. However, one can avoid getting sick by watching what to eat and what to avoid. Dietitian, Fauziya Ansari of Apollo Spectra Mumbai, shares the dos and don’ts of what to eat that can help you stay healthy this monsoon.

What to eat:

• Stay hydrated by drinking enough water. You can also opt for herbal teas and soups.
• It’s a good idea to add seasonal fruits like jamun, pears, plums, cherries, peaches, papaya, apples, and pomegranates loaded with vitamins A and C, antioxidants, and fiber. These fruits improve digestion and intestinal health.
• Eat bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ash gourd, crest gourd, snake gourd, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, okra, and radish to enhance immunity.
• Add turmeric, ginger, garlic, cayenne, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg as they contain anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties.
• Turmeric is packed with antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory drugs that help boost immunity and control infections. Drinking turmeric milk is a good way to improve overall health.
• Probiotics improve gut health. Try opting for yogurt, buttermilk, and pickled vegetables for easier digestion.

What NOT to EAT:

• It is essential to avoid eating food outdoors during the monsoon. Avoid street-cut fruit, chaat, burgers, pizza, bakery items, or cola. Eating outdoors doubles the risk of food poisoning and waterborne infections due to bacterial growth on food if it is kept open longer.
• Eating fried foods like samosa or pakoras can lead to various gastrointestinal problems like indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, stomach ache, and heartburn.
• Monsoons are famous for the large number of waterborne diseases they generate. Another reason is that the monsoon is the breeding season for fish and shrimp. Therefore, it is better to stay away from shellfish until the rainy season is over.