Monsoon is the time for germs and bacteria to thrive in unhygienic conditions. During the rains, there is a high amount of humidity in the atmosphere due to which our digestive system gets sluggish.
Hence, during this season, it’s important to keep one’s health strong by observing certain food habits while avoiding some at the same time.
6 foods to avoid common cold and flu this monsoon
1.Ginger Tea
Ginger has antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and properties present in it, so ginger tea is one of the best remedies for this purpose.
To use it as a natural remedy, you can take a piece of fresh ginger root and cut thin slices. Add the slices in a cup of water and let it boil for some a few minutes. You can add a bit of honey to your cup of ginger tea for better taste.
2.Nuts and Dry Fruits
Munching on dates, almonds, and walnuts is a good idea, no matter what the season. However, as these nuts are rich in vitamins and minerals, these are great options to add to your monsoon diet.
Rich in riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin E, these food items help to strengthen your immunity. Also, Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, which helps in keeping your cells healthy.
3.Turmeric milk
Turmeric or golden milk can help alleviate flu-like symptoms, such as the common cold, cough, and fever. Consuming this milk at night before sleeping may aid in relieving congestion, headache, and sore throats.
It contains antibiotic and antiseptic properties in a compound called curcumin, which helps in improving your health both internally and externally. Turmeric milk can help in strengthening your immunity and can also boost brain function and memory power.
Also read: Spices With Most Powerful Health Benefits
4.Soups and Stews
Warm foods such as soups, broths, and stews are ideal remedies for cold and flu. They support a healthy immune system, easy on the digestive system, helping to maintain digestive fire which is often weakened during this season.
Soups and stews made from fresh vegetables such as carrots, beans and tomatoes are not only delicious but are also rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
5.Probiotic Foods
Probiotics help keep the gut healthy and help boost immunity immensely. Daily probiotics can help restore the natural state of health and keep seasonal viruses away.
Have fermented foods, probiotic milk, homemade Dahi, kombucha, miso soup, buttermilk, idli, dosa, appam, dhokla, uttapam, kanji, homemade pickles and chutneys. Here are indian fermented foods to try.
6.Vitamin C
Vitamin C helps fight infections, eases digestion as well as strengthens immunity during monsoon. Include amla, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach and broccoli.
Lemons are also a powerhouse of Vitamin C . Whether squeezed over salads or added to warm water, lemons can easily be included in your rainy season food list for an immunity boost.
Here are 9 Monsoon Perfect Snacks
Holistic remedies for monsoon illnesses
Cold & Cough: Boil water with dry ginger for immediate relief
Sore Throat: Gargle with lukewarm saline water
Viral Fever: Boil tulsi, ginger and honey and drink the juice
Skin Infection: Boil neem leaves in water and takes a bath with it
Foods to Eat During the Monsoon
- Grains — Red rice, Sathi Rice, Wheat, Jowari ( Great millet)
- Vegetables: Bottle Gourd ( Dudhi), Snake Gourd ( Padwal), Okra ( Bhindi) Dodka, Ghosali
- Legumes: Split pigeon pea, Green Gram, Koolith, Black Gram
- Tubers: Garlic, Onion, Ginger, Suran
- Fruits: Dates, Grapes, Coconut, Mulberry
- Yogurt , Cow milk, Buttermilk, Ghee
- Spices: Rock salt, Coriander, Cumin, jaggery, Mint, Asafoetida, ( Hing), Black pepper, Piper Longum, ( Pippali)
- Boiled warm water
Foods to Avoid During the Monsoon
- Grains: raagi, Bajari ( Pearl millet), Maize, Barley
- Vegetables: Spinach, Bitter Gourd ( Karela), Chavlai, Cabbage, Dry Vegetables
- Legumes: Matki, Vaal, Vatana (Peas), Lentil ( Masur), Gram ( Chana)
- Tubers: Potato, Shingada, Sabudana, kamalkanda, Arum, Carrot
- Fruits: Black Plum ( Jambul), Jackfruit, Cucumber, watermelon, Muskmelon
- Buffalo Milk, Paneer
- Other things Sweets, Fried Food, Processed fopod
- Coldwater
Always remember, your nutrition and immunity depends on the food you eat.
Also read: Foods To Eat That Fight the Common Cold
Detoxpri 