Dietary Tips for Healthy Monsoon - Nourishing Foods to Boost Immunity
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We’re now right in the middle of the monsoon season, which has brought some welcome relief from the scorching heat of the summer. However, along with the lush greenery and rains, the monsoon also tags along a few health concerns like cold, flu and other monsoon-related illnesses. It becomes necessary to take extra care of our well-being.
One effective way to stay healthy during the monsoon is by employing a healthy, nutrient-rich and immunity-boosting diet that can prepare our body to ward off infections.
In this blog, let us explore some nourishing foods that can help boost your immunity and understand the importance of diet in keeping you healthy this monsoon season.
Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
Including seasonal fruits and vegetables in your diet is an excellent way to provide your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Opt for fruits such as pears, apples, pomegranates, and bananas, as they are rich in fibre and can aid digestion. When it comes to vegetables, include nutrient-dense options like spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, and bitter gourd, which are known to boost immunity.
Probiotics and Fermented Foods
Probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut, which is closely linked to our immune system. Integrate probiotic-rich foods such as yoghurt and buttermilk into your diet to stay healthy. These foods help in enhancing the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which can improve digestion and strengthen your immune response.
Immunity-Boosting Spices and Herbs
Certain spices and herbs possess powerful immune-boosting properties that can help protect you from common monsoon ailments. Turmeric, garlic, ginger, and cinnamon are known for their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Incorporate them into your meals to not only enhance the flavour but also reap their health benefits.
Protein-Rich Foods
Protein is essential for the growth and repair of body tissues and plays a vital role in strengthening the immune system. Include lean sources of protein such as chicken, fish, eggs, lentils, and legumes in your meals. These foods provide essential amino acids that help build immunity and promote overall well-being.
Stay Away from Fried and Junk Food
We all love a plate of fried hot pakoras and chai during the rainy season. While it’s okay to indulge in outside fried food and snacks once in a while make sure you don’t make it a habit because these foods can be detrimental to your health. Fried and junk foods are often high in unhealthy fats, and salt, which can weaken your immune system and lead to digestive problems. Opt for healthier alternatives like air-fried or homemade snacks prepared with minimal oil.
Stay Hydrated with Herbal Teas and Warm Beverages
Maintaining adequate hydration is essential throughout the year, but it becomes even more crucial during the monsoon. Consuming warm beverages like herbal teas, ginger tea, or hot water with lemon and honey can help flush out toxins from the body, keep you hydrated, and boost your immunity.
Follow Proper Food Hygiene
Maintaining proper hygiene and food safety practices is of utmost importance during the monsoon season. Ensure that you wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them. Avoid consuming street food or uncooked food items that may be prone to contamination. It is also advisable to drink clean and filtered water to prevent waterborne diseases.
The monsoon season is a time when there is an increased prevalence of viruses, bacteria and water-borne diseases. Maintaining a healthy diet during the monsoon is crucial for bolstering your immune system and staying free from seasonal illnesses. By incorporating these dietary tips into your routine and focusing on nourishing foods, you can strengthen your body's natural defence mechanisms.
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Seasonal fruits and vegetables, lentils, sprouts, herbal teas, turmeric milk, warm beverages, probiotics like yoghurt and protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, rajma etc are some of the best foods to eat during the monsoon.
Limit your intake of fried street food in the rainy season, since it is not only full of unhealthy fats, and high in salt and carbs, but during the monsoon, consuming such food can increase the chances of stomach infections.
Fruits and vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, yoghurt, citrus foods like orange and lemon, turmeric and foods rich in protein can significantly boost your immune system during the monsoon season and help ward off infections.
