Hello everyone, during the rainy season our body is more susceptible to infections and diseases. This means it is imperative to make some key changes in our regular diet. This article is about a few tips on what to include and exclude in your diet during the monsoon season. These changes will also allow you to maintain your weight and stay healthy.
1. Bitter Food
- Bitter food like methi dana (fenugreek), karela, neem, jamun seeds
- Turmeric, dill and citrus peels
Benefits
- Bitter food are good cleansers and boost immunity
- Apart from that, they help fight infections and control craving
- These food assist in blood purification and detoxification of the body
- Bitter food are healthy for the gut as they caontain good enzymes
2. Herbs and Spices
- Tulsi, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, fennel seeds
- Cardamom, lemon grass, piple, nutmeg, star anise and garlic
Benefits
- These herbs and spices are anti microbial and help fight cold, cough and other infections
- They assist in body detox and improve digestion
- These food also regulate blood sugar in the body and reduce cravings
- These herbs and spices boost metabolism and immunity in the body
3. Homemade Kadha
- The homemade kadha with the herbs and spices mentioned at serial 2 does wonder to the body
- The benefits are the same as the herbs and spices
4. Seasonal Fruits
- Fruits like jamun, plum, peach, cherries
- Other fruits including litchi, mango and amla
Benefits
- These fruits are high in vitamin C and K
- These also contain a number of antioxidants
- They help infections, improve immunity and aid in healthy digestion
- Limit the consumption of mango and melons in monsoons
5. Seasonal Veggies
- Veggies like lauki, tori, pumpkin, parwal, suran, tinda
- Other veggies including ash gourd, ivy gourd and pointed gourd
Benefits
- These veggies are light and easy to digest
- These are very stomach for the stomach and are high in vitamins and minerals
- They provide relief in constipation, help control the BP and are very good for the heart
- These veggies also promote weight loss
- Avoid eating raw vegetables during monsoons
- You should also limit the green leafy vegetables and tomatoes
6. Healthy Fat
- Coconut oil, light olive oil, almonds, soaked walnuts
- Chia seeds, peanut butter (controlled portion)
Benefits
- These food provide essential vitamins and minerals to the body
- They are also a good source of omega 3 in the body
- Avoid cooking in heavy oils and avoid oily and fried food during monsoons
7. Slow Carbs
- Slow carbs like whole oats, barley, qunioa, amaranth, buckwheat, ragi
- Foxtail millet, wheat daliya
Benefits
- These food have low glycemic index
- Consuming these food ensures lesser cravings, more nutrients
- These food are very good for stomach health and for maintaining sugar levels in the body
- Avoid refined or processed carbs like maida, corn flour and limit your intake of rice in monsoons
8. Quality Protein
- Pulses, legumes, nuts, seeds
- Eggs and warm milk
Benefits
- These protein are very good for bones, muscles
- These contain healthy enzymes, fibre and help reduce cravings
- They provide strength to the body, boost metabolism, increase fat burning and help lower BP in the body
- Limit your consumption of meat, sprouts and paneer in this weather
9. Healthy Snacks
- Bhutta, roasted peanuts and roasted chana
Benefits
- These snacks are very good for bones, muscles
- These contain healthy enzymes, fibre and help reduce cravings
- They provide strength to the body, boost metabolism, increase fat burning and help lower BP in the body
- Limit your consumption deep fried snacks or refined / processed snacks in this weather
10. Healthy Fluids
- Lots of water at room temperature
- Warm water, herbal teas / soups
Benefits
- These fluids are important to kee pthe body hydrated
- They cleanse the body, help in detoxification and keep the hair and skin healthy
- These fluids also assist in weight loss
- Avoid keeping detox water for long hours
Food to avoid or consume with care in monsoons
- High water content fruits like melons
- Rice
- Fermented food
- Green leafy veggies and cruciferous veggies
- Meat
- Tomatoes (mainly raw)
- High salt content food
- Stale food