The monsoon is such a
welcome respite from the scorching summer thanks
to the overcast sky, gently rain and lush greenery all around. Almost
all of us love to savour spicy anc crunchy
food items such as a fritters pakoras
and chaats like Pani puri , sev puri, teamed with cutting chai as the
rain water lashes against the window
pane. However the season also brings
along a host of the diseases such as a dengue, viral fever, conjunctivitis, thphoid, viral fever, pneumonia, gastrontestinal disturbances, diarrhoea, food poisoning cough and cold and jaundice due to bacteria in the environment. The challenge
lies in going about your daily
routine without falling ill. If you suffer
from low immunity you are at a
higher risk of a contracting these
diseases . However the right dietary tips can strengthen your
immunity and help you stay hale and hearty.
STAY WELL-HYDRATED: Due to the humaid climate, you may not feel
too thirsty and consume just one litre of water every day . But you need to be well hydrated as sweat does not
evaporate quickly in monsoon . Consequently, this prevents the body
from releasing heat. So consume a lot of
water as a it helps to flush out toxins
from the body. Ensure that the
water is clean, pure and safe to drink. Avoid aerated drinks: instead
consume warm beverages such as a green
tea with holy basil leaves, ginger pepper and honey as they have anti-bacterial
properties. A bowl of hot vegetables soup is also a good options. The hot
beverages will increases your body temperature
which will in turn give you warmth while the ingredients will boost your
immunity.
SWITCH TO A BALANCE DIET: Consume fruits such as cherries,
bananas, apples, pomegranates, plumps, litchis and pears as they are packed with
anti-oxidants and are rich in
vitamin A, E, C and minerals . Vegetables such as a
cauliflowers , potatoes , cluster beans, lady’s finger, kidney beans, pigeon
pea and sprouted grains get spoilt easily due to the humidity: . So they should be avoided
. Opt for cooked or steamed
veggies. Avoid salads as they
comprise raw vegetables that contain active
bacteria which lead to various infections and affect the body’s immunity. Avoid strong smelling or extra sweet fruits such as a
mangoes and jack fruits that attract flies as their excess intake can cause skin irritation and stomach ache. It is also important to store vegetables that right way during the rains. Do not wash the veggies throughly
before storing as the
moisture will attract pathogenic fungus. These bacteria can spread
to other susceptible food items as well, making them unhygienic . Instead pat dry and store separate food items in different
containers . Buy them in limited
portions and use them as soon as possible.
MAINTAIN YOUR TRESSES/: Dehydration makes your hair brittle and scanty. So hydrate yourself. Zinc and
iron help to keep your tresses healthy
and beautiful . Consume nuts, eggs and
walnuts to maintain hair strength. Walnuts
are rich in biotin and vitamin E, which are excellent antioxidants . Proteins
are important for hair strength too. So add cur to your diet, as it is a
great source of protein. Amla juice
oranges and other citrus foods are rich
in vitamins C. Vitamin C keeps your hair strong
as it helps in productions of
collagen that in amount other things strengthens the hair capillaries (ensuring proper
nutrient supply to our hair). Also,
ensure that you wash your locks
on alternate days and cover them well
during the monsoon. Dried apricots
roasted sunflower seeds and lentils are better foods to
consume during monsoon than other
iron-rich foods which are susceptible to
microbial attack. Do not forgot
to eat yummy corn on cobs as corn is
also rich in iron and zinc. So the
secret to enjoy the rains, without the fear of affecting your health is to go light on eating . Have a
safe and healthy monsoon