Do you remember jumping on a small well of water on the road with your friends? Drenched in rain with them and kicking water at each other. Those were some carefree times when you knew that your mother, parents, grandparents or guardian will take care of you when you fall ill after so much fun.
Sometimes, the weather isn’t the culprit, it’s the food that we eat that becomes the culprit. Yes, the delicious oily junk food you might have had while a show on TV.
These delicacies that we think are boring during other seasons become incredibly delicious during the monsoons. Strange. You gobble up the whole plate as if you’ve never eaten that dish. To be honest, even I am one among you.
But I’ve learnt that we need to change what we eat in each season. There’s a reason why we need to avoid eating spicy food during monsoon. Read on to know why.
Ayurveda tells us that our lifestyle needs to be modified as per the change of the season, especially our diet. They need to match the change in doshas during the external variations. The rains are synonymous with low immunity and imbalance in the body. They are also a welcome dose of liveliness, enthusiasm and vigour after months of scorching heat. Even though the atmosphere is relatively cool the humidity levels are high. And so as per Ayurveda, the dosha imbalance can manifest in health concerns and skin issues. The increased humidity weakens the digestive power (Agni), which causes the accumulation of toxins (ama) in the body.
This change in diet and lifestyle for monsoon are all focused on reducing the accumulation of toxins in the body. Detox in a holistic manner. The following are some effective ayurvedic practices to balance the doshas during the rains.
10 Monsoon Diet: Foods to Avoid and what is needed
1. Load up on probiotics and steamed veggies
Include having yoghurt, buttermilk, cheese kefir (fermented cheese), soybeans, and Kombucha. These contain good bacteria and boost immunity.
2. Citrus foods are your BFFs
They contain pure vitamin C and are great for immunity. They help in fighting infections, help in digestion, and strengthen bones.
3. Masala chai, mmm…Yum
This is one of my favourites of the season. It’s perfect. Of course, any chai lover knows what goes into the boiling water for the masala taste. Ginger, clove, cinnamon, cardamom, tulsi leave (optional), and dried black pepper. Include these to the right proportion of tea leaves, milk and sugar. These contain natural immunity-boosting qualities. They really help in soothing cold, and flu, and have anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Say NO to Pakodas
They are irresistible delicacies during the rains. Some people find it romantic. Chai and pakodas. But we need to avoid them as they make the tummy bloated. And when it comes to other foods like paani puri, and papri chaat, we need to avoid them for the sake of hygiene.
5. Let the fish live this season
Avoid eating them in the monsoons as it’s the breeding time for them. Also, avoid meat like chicken and mutton. It can be difficult, but it’s possible.
6. Avoid carbonated beverages
They are really tempting but choose something healthy. They result in low enzyme activity and a weak digestive system. Choose to have nimbu paani that will quench your thirst for carbonated drinks.
7. Munch on nuts and dry fruits
Nuts and dry fruits are not just for desserts, they need to be consumed during monsoons for vitamin E, riboflavin, and niacin. They strengthen immunity and powerful antioxidant to keep our cells healthy.
8. Superfood Spinach
A great source of vitamin E, folic acid, vitamins A and C, beta carotene and fiber. These nutrients and antioxidants help our body to carry on its functions properly.
9. Consume Turmeric
Haldi-doodh or any form of turmeric consumed during the rainy season is an excellent choice for your health. It contains antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial, and other anti-kind of properties.
10. The stinking rose, Garlic
It helps fight cold and flu-causing viruses and boosts immunity. It also helps in reducing high blood pressure and increases the number of T-cells in the blood. Increases the ability to fight diseases.
Constantly think of what you eat during each season. Your diet will solve more than half your weight issues. It’s important to keep your immunity uptight and focus on your diet to save yourself from falling sick during the pandemic times. Even though everything is slowly easing down, it’s not gone.
