Monsoon Diet Guide: What to Eat and Avoid for Better Health This Rainy Season

Monsoon showers come as a relief and are welcome after the scorching summer heat. But they also bring with them health problems like allergies, infections and indigestion.

High temperature and humidity are ideal conditions for the growth of microorganisms. This can cause diseases such as food poisoning, typhoid and jaundice. Also this season peaks in malaria and dengue due to water stagnation.

But there is no need to panic — small variations in eating habits can keep problems at bay. Diet plays an important role not only in preventing the onset of such diseases but also in curing them.

Health experts recommend eating small frequent meals but keeping them light. Hydration is crucial as sweating leads to loss of fluids and electrolytes. Consume more fluids like fresh lime water, coconut water and chaach to replenish the salts and electrolytes lost in sweat.

Build your immunity by eating loads of seasonal fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C to prevent infections. Take a lot of good bacteria or probiotics present in curd and other fermented foods as they build the immune response to fighting disease.

Use a lot of Indian herbs like turmeric (haldi), coriander, fenugreek (methi), mustard, asafoetida (hing), ginger, curry leaves and garlic as all these help in boosting immunity. They also help in improving digestion and clearing congestion.

Avoid street foods as they may cause stomach infections. Also avoid very heavy oily rich food as one is prone to intestinal problems during this season.

Avoid cut fruits and vegetables outside as they are a source of infection. Instead, go for the whole fruit or vegetable and wash them thoroughly in running water or wash with lemon juice or vinegar.

Avoid heavy salty food as it can cause high blood pressure and water retention due to high humidity and excessive sweating.

It is best to avoid eating seafood during the monsoons as it is the breeding season for fish.

Foods high in protein get spoiled very fast in this weather due to high humidity and temperature. Keep dairy products and non-vegetarian items in proper temperatures. Non-vegetarian items should be kept in frozen temperature and once thawed should not be frozen again.

Maintain good hygiene by washing hands well before and after eating. Wash after using the toilet.\

Ayurveda experts recommend eating only cooked food during this period and stopping eating after 8 pm. Include foods with sour and salty flavours. Pumpkins, ash gourd, yams, onions, garlic and tomatoes are good to consume this season.

Enjoy the rains and have a safe and healthy monsoon by making smart food choices. A little attention to what goes on your plate can go a long way in keeping seasonal illnesses at bay.