With the rains lashing hard, it is hard to avoid getting wet while commuting to work or going on your errands. But you can still stave off your spell of monsoon illness by keeping away from certain foods. Take a look at 10 of these foods which are best avoided during monsoons.
Fried food: As the rain lashes against the window, the urge to sit back with a hot cup of chai and pakoras is irresistible. But the high humidity during this season slows down digestion, making us all more prone to tummy upsets and bloating. Eating out brings on the added danger of water-borne bacterial and viral infections.
White rice: Consuming white rice leads to swelling and water retention. Since issues like water retention, lower immunity and weak digestive systems toll high during this season, you should be careful about what you consume. Opt for brown or unpolished rice.
Sea food: Avoid sea food like fish, prawns, crabs etc during the monsoons. Since it is breeding season for these creatures now, fresh sea food is scarce, so you may end up having stomach infections or worse, food poisoning. So keep a lid firmly clamped down on any sushi cravings you have for the next couple of months. Better to stick to a mostly vegetarian diet until then.
Red meat: Since red meat is heavy on the digestive system, it is best to avoid it. However, if you are craving for meat, opt for chicken soup. Cold chicken salad is also a good option as salads are high on fibre and help in keeping your digestion in order.
Leafy greens: All our lives we have been instructed about the importance of eating leafy vegetables. But during the monsoons, they are best avoided. Leafy vegetables are grown in swamps and are not stored hygienically before they reach the consumer, that is, you. Insects love to nest on broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower, so avoid these too.
Fresh juices from vendors: Fresh juices may taste and feel healthy to your body, but make sure that it’s only home-made. Juices brought from vendors may use ice of spurious quality leading to water borne diseases like jaundice, diarrhoea or any other water-based bacterial infection.
Chaat: A hot plate of ragda pattice is exactly what we feel like eating in this weather. Yet not only is eating street food a big NO in this weather, it is also exactly the kind of food that will impact your slower digestion system in this weather. And foods like pani puri, where the tangy water is uncooked and served cold, are best avoided to prevent contracting diarrhoea.
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Pre-cut fruits: Stay away from raw and chopped fruits, specifically when they have been kept in the open. The increased moisture in the air leads to bacteria sticking to raw foods, making them an unhealthy option for this weather.
Fizzy drinks: Fizzy drinks reduce minerals in our body, which in turn leads to reduction of enzyme activity. This is highly undesirable with an already weak digestive system. Keep a bottle of water or nimbu paani handy or stick to warm beverages like ginger tea.
Thick, heavy oils: Heavy oils like mustard and sesame should be avoided during the monsoons as they render the body vulnerable to infection. Oils which can be used for cooking during the rainy season are dry oils like corn or light oils like olive.
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