When you think of the monsoon, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Rain yes, but also garam chai or coffee and a steaming plate of pakoras, right? While it’s true that these two are somewhat synonymous, it should also be noted that the season also brings infections and flu. That’s why it is very important to take care of one’s diet and boost your body’s immunity.
There are a few certain foods that are best to be avoided during each season and since it’s monsoon, we spoke to Dietitian Vidhi Chawla to know more about what not to eat during the rains. She said,
When Covid-19 is wreaking havoc all over the world, monsoon could be even more dangerous for your health. During the rainy season, the digestive season does not even work in its full capacity. The digestion process further slows down due to the consumption of unhealthy and fried snacks. This can also lead to digestion issues or bloating.
To stay fit and healthy, there are few food items that should be avoided during the monsoon:
1. Vegetables
Even though they are considered to be extremely healthy foods, green leafy vegetables should be taken with care in this changing weather as the increased humidity levels make them perfect breeding grounds for the germs. In the monsoon, it is best to avoid leafy vegetables. Germs are mostly found in vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach. Make sure that all the vegetables are thoroughly washed, boiled, and cooked well.
2. Seafood
Monsoon is not a good season for eating seafood. This is the breeding season for fish and prawns and so it is best to avoid seafood. During monsoon, fish contain eggs inside their bodies, which when consumed, can cause severe stomach pain or even food poisoning. Stick to mutton or chicken to cloy your craving for non-vegetarian foods. And if it is very necessary to have seafood, then make sure you bring a fresh variety of seafood and cook them well.
3. Deep Fried Food
Fried food is one of the items that you should definitely avoid during the monsoon. Our digestion process slows down or it doesn’t even work in full capacity during the rainy season because of the humidity in the weather. Eating lots of pakoras, kachori and samosas can potentially cause gastronomical complications. Sometimes extra salty food can cause water retention. In monsoon, always stay away from street food, especially gol gappas where water is used.
4. Fizzy Drinks
Fizzy drinks can make the digestive system weak and also reduces the minerals present in the body which leads to a reduction of enzyme activity. Instead of some fizzy drinks, you can opt for nimbu pani, green tea, jaljeera, shikanji, etc. which is good for your digestive system. Instead of milk, always prefer to have curd or yoghurt as it avoids the possibility of bad bacteria entering the body.
5. Mushrooms
As we know, mushrooms grow in soil and damp areas. So before consuming mushrooms, we need to clean them and wash them carefully. During the monsoon season, the risk of insects and bacterial infection is more. Therefore, it is best to be avoided during this season.
6. Juices
Any fresh food items that have been cut in advance are not healthy. It comes in contact with contaminated air and it should be avoided during the monsoon. Always go for fresh fruits, even at your home, don’t leave the cut fruits for a long time. Cut it fresh and consume immediately.
Lastly, Vidhi says,
Always remember that your nutrition and immunity depend on the food that you eat. Therefore you should be more conscious of what you eat. Don’t even let the rains make you lazy. Always keep exercising to sweat out the extra moisture and potentially harmful bacteria. In these tough times amid the pandemic, keeping a check on your immunity and focusing on your diet and safety is highly crucial.
In this season, personal hygiene is paramount. This season brings with it infections galore! Cases of ear infection, flu, common cold, and eye infection like conjunctivitis multiply in number and no sign should be ignored. Always keep drinking more and more water. Even if you are not feeling thirsty, you should drink water and keep your body hydrated otherwise it may lead to a drop in immunity and make you lethargic.
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