The monsoon season can provide much-needed relief from the scorching heat of summer, but it brings along a whole host of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and disease-causing microbes. Increased humidity, dampness, and changes in temperature may compromise your immune system, increasing your susceptibility to seasonal illnesses such as food poisoning, diarrhea, viral infections, and stomach upsets.
According to Agra-based Clinical Nutritionist and Monsoon Wellness Expert, Dr. Kavita Rajan, “What you consume during monsoon can greatly affect how your body adapts to seasonal shifts. Some foods are healthy, but they can also turn harmful in the rainy season due to contamination, poor shelf life, and its inability to handle digestion as well.” Dr. Rajan says to be more conscious on food hygiene, but also avoid ingredients that can hold moisture, or can trigger discomfort in the stomach.
Here is a list of 10 foods she recommends for monsoon avoidance, especially if you want to remain healthy, energetic, and illness-free in the rainy season.
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1. Leafy Vegetables
Although spinach, lettuce, and cabbage are good foods, they have a higher risk of dirt, bacteria, and bugs from the monsoon season. "Getting them clean is hard, and the odds of you getting an infection is higher by eating them raw," reasons Dr. Rajan. If you have to eat them, make sure they are cooked.
2. Street Food
Monsoon and street side chaats may sound romantic, but street food is off limits. Stagnant water surrounding street stalls attracts flies and contamination of food. Unless you are making them in your own home with clean and hygienic conditions, avoid pani puris, samosas and vada pav!
3. Cut Fruits
Do not buy pre-cut fruit from vendors. "When fruit has been peeled, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria especially in humid weather," warns Dr. Rajan. Always wash and cut fruit in your own home, and preferably right before consuming!
4. Seafood
It is best to avoid seafood during monsoon, as it is the breeding season and there are often contamination issues in water bodies. If you really want fish, make sure it is fresh and is cooked well.
5. Fried Snacks
Fried foods like pakoras and bhajiyas may be tempting, however these snacks are harder to digest during rainy or humid conditions and can give you acidity, slow digestion, and bloating.
6. Caffeinated Drinks
Too much tea or coffee might cause you to be dehydrated. "We forget to drink water on rainy days," says Dr. Rajan. Drink herbal teas or warm turmeric milk instead.
7. Fermented food
If you're not confident in the freshness of fermented items like dhokla, idli, and dosa, it's probably best to have them out of your diet. "Fermented items spoil faster in moist conditions and will upset your stomach," she warns.
8. Carbonated beverages
Fizzy sodas depress digestive strength and cause bloating. Instead, have digestive aids like ginger-lemon water, and warm vegetable soups.
9. Mushrooms
Mushrooms thrive in moist, decaying organisms, meaning they present a hazard of fungal growth. If you are not confident in their source or hygiene, do not eat them.
10. Raw Milk Products
Do not eat raw milk, unpasteurized cream, or soft cheeses, such as paneer, from unreliable sources. These items spoil quickly, especially with fluctuations in temperature. They also introduce unwanted and potentially dangerous bacteria.
Stick with freshly cooked, warm, and lightly spiced foods. Your gut and immune system will thank you.
Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis
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