Nutrition Tips And Diet To Stay Healthy In Monsoon

Monsoon season comes as a great relief after scorching summer heat. But monsoon rains also pose certain health risks. Our body is more susceptible to diseases during rainy season. Therefore, we need to be careful with what we eat and drink.

Here’s a look at what to eat and what not to eat during monsoon:

-Avoid foods with high water content- Eating foods which have high water content like lassi, watermelon, rice, muskmelon may cause body to swell due to water retention. So, it’s better to opt for foods like corn, gram flour, chickpea etc.

-Opt for yogurt, curd and almonds in your diet instead of milk, especially during daytime.

-Take foods which have high amount of fibre and protein such as brown rice, multigrain rotis, oats, and barley.

-Add a clove of garlic to soups, sir fries and curries since it helps in increasing immunity

-Drink boiled or filtered water to avoid water-borne infections.

-Consume vegetables like bitter gourd, and medicinal herbs like neem, turmeric powder and methi seeds that boost your immunity.

-Preferred oil in rainy season is ricebran oil or other light oils.

-Eat a lot of fresh fruits like apples, mangoes, pomegranates, and pears as they help in restoring energy. But avoid eating cut fruits and salads outside.

-Drink herbal tea, especially those with antibacterial properties. For examples ginger, pepper, honey, mint, cinnamon licorice, moringa, lemon tea and basil leaves tea.

-Better to steam or re-cook food before consumption, especially salad and boiled rice.

-If you are suffering from arthritis, you may suffer increased pain during monsoons. To avoid this, you should drink warm water with tulsi and cinnamon on an empty stomach in the morning.

-Apply neem oil or coconut oil on skin before stepping outside

-Wipe your floor with Neem or Eucalyptus oil

(Bipasha Das is a certified health coach and nutritionist. She runs a diet and wellness clinic ‘Sugati’. She has been awarded Most Recommended Nutritionist of the Year 2018-19 by Brands Impact. She has worked with top hospitals, and is a life member of the Indian Dietetic Association and on the panels of renowned corporate houses like Ericsson, GE Power. Bipasha is working with Municipal Corporation of Delhi - Public Health Department( South Zone) as a consultant, and creating awareness programmes on Women and Children Health, Health for Public Health Workers, Office Sedentary Workers etc.

*Answers are based on general queries. Please contact a professional for any personal treatment.)