Diet plan for a safe Monsoon

Monsoon in India are always awaited as they provide relief from the scorching summer heat. However, we must also remember that the season invites a lot of health issues along with it. As the rainy season affects the immune system of the body, it is essential to be very careful about what we eat and drink during the season. The monsoon season also plays host for many diseases like dengue, malaria, conjunctivitis, typhoid, viral fever, pneumonia, gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhoea and dysentery.

Ritucharya is considered to be very healthy, preventing diseases especially if we stick to seasonally produced foods during the changing seasons. The following are the healthy foods that should be included in your monsoon diet:

• Fluids: Drink plenty of water along with the consumption of warm, freshly prepared kadha, broths and soups for rehydration and immunity enhancement.

• Fruits: Seasonal fruits like jamun, pears, plum, cherries, lychee, peaches and pomegranates are good sources of Vitamin A and C, fibres and antioxidants.

• Vegetables: Add plenty of gourds like bottle gourd, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, ridge gourd, Indian squash, etc for good health in the diet.

• Spices: Important spices like turmeric and ginger must be included because of their antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties.

Some of the important mistakes to be avoided during the season can be:

• Eating fried foods: Avoid fried foods with also being careful about the reuse of the oil used once.

• Not washing green leafy vegetables: Washing the veggies thoroughly and cooking them on high heat is very important.

• Eating outside: It is best to stick to homely cooked foods and avoid street food, no matter how much you crave it.