Cooling monsoon showers bring with them a bunch of infectious diseases, making it essential to pay extra care to our eating habits. Our body is more susceptible to infections like food poisoning, diarrhoea, typhoid, dysentery, etc. and most affected by the changing weather are those individuals who have low resistance or immunity. Most diseases in the rainy season are water-borne and the moisture and humidity serve as perfect breeding grounds for bacteria in air as well as food items. Thus one needs to be particularly careful with the water and the food which a person includes in the daily routine.
Few points can be taken care of to enjoy the weather without falling prey to infections:
- Drink lots of water as water keeps the body hydrated and cool and it is the best option to quench thirst. Avoid soft drinks, caffeine, alcohol as these drinks result in loss of fluids through the body.
- Rains lead to contamination of surface as well as groundwater. Treatment of drinking water by boiling, filtering, chlorinating or by other means becomes all the more important.
- Eat lots of fresh vegetables and fruits. These are rich in water content, essential nutrients in the form of vitamins and minerals, natural sugar and fibre. Citrus fruits are a good source of Vitamin C and help in improving the immunity levels.
- Drinking juices from local vendors and eating cut fruits and vegetables from outside is a strict No-No as the hygiene of the machines they use to extract juices is questionable. Packaged juices though higher in calories are a safer option in monsoons.
- Wash all the green vegetables thoroughly as there are many insects and worms hidden behind the leaves.
- Instead of cold salads, opt for warm ones. The monsoon season is a time to eat vegetables like bitter gourd, yam, snake gourd; fruits like banana, apple, litchi, cherries, pomegranates. Include turmeric, basil (tulsi), fenugreek (methi), corn, chickpeas, oats and gram flour (besan). All these foods help in preventing infections.
- Avoid heavy (difficult to digest), highly salted food and sour foods like tamarind, chutneys, pickles etc, as they promote water retention and bloating.
- I know it is difficult to keep yourself away from pakoras when it is raining but avoid fried food as much as possible as they decrease digestive efficiency.
- Cover all the food items and avoid eating stale food. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating as well as cooking.
- According to Ayurveda, the digestive activity weakens during rains leading to digestive disorders. To avoid any infections easily digestible food should be taken.
By following these simple measures your diet can be healthy and hygienic and thus you may remain safe and healthy during the rainy season.