We’re in the peak of the monsoon season, and along with the refreshing rains comes a spike in common cold, flu, stomach infections, and viral fevers. While the rainy season provides a much-needed break from the scorching summer heat, it poses certain health risks. Therefore, we must be mindful of what we eat and drink during this time.
According to Ayurveda, avoiding monsoon-related illnesses involves modifying your lifestyle for varsha ritu (the monsoon season in Ayurveda that starts in July and ends mid-September), consuming the right herbal formulations under an expert’s guidance, and following a diet rich in seasonal foods. During this season, *vata* is aggravated, *pitta* accumulates, and *kapha* is controlled or pacified.
According to Ayurveda, the Monsoon may cause an imbalance in your doshas – vata, pitta, and kapha (the three fundamental energies or elements governing the functions of your body on the physical and emotional level). Pitta signifies the digestive fire in the human body, which gets affected during this season and leads to a weak digestive system, serving as the basis for various ailments such as joint pain, muscular pain, acidity, loss of appetite, body ache, gas trouble, indigestion, and most commonly, cold and cough.”
Foods and Habits to Keep You Healthy During Monsoon
What to Eat During Monsoon
1. Warm Vegetable Soups with Spices
Seek comfort in warm vegetable soups spiced up with ginger, garlic, and pepper during the rainy season. This is especially beneficial for people suffering from cold and cough, as it may help expel mucus and relieve nasal and chest congestion. Incorporate cooked vegetables like pumpkin, ivy gourd, spinach, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, sweet corn, carrots, beetroot, and snake gourd in your diet.
Fun Tip: Make a hearty pumpkin soup with a dash of ginger and garlic for a warm, comforting meal that also boosts your immunity.
2. Spice Things Up!
Spices like turmeric, ginger, and black pepper have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and immunity-boosting properties, so it’s important to spice up your daily home-cooked meals with these ingredients.
Fun Tip: Add a pinch of turmeric and black pepper to your morning tea for an immunity-boosting start to your day.
3. Seasonal Fruits
Jamun, plum, peaches, pomegranates, pears, and other seasonal fruits are high in nutrients such as fibre, vitamin A, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Fun Tip: Prepare a colourful fruit salad with a mix of these seasonal fruits, topped with a sprinkle of chaat masala for a tangy twist.
4. Pulses and Grains
Go for pulses and grains like green gram, tuvar dal, and masoor dal because they are easy to digest and nourishing. Pair them with grains like rice, oats, millets, and amaranth – basically, everything except wheat and wheat-based foods.
Fun Tip: Try making a simple khichdi with rice and moong dal, flavoured with mild spices and a touch of ghee. It's easy on the stomach and incredibly nourishing.
5. Snack on Dry Fruits
Walnuts, almonds, dates, and other dry fruits can be your snack-time favourites when it’s pouring outside. They are rich sources of energy, loaded with antioxidants, and may boost your immune system.
Fun Tip: Roast some almonds and walnuts with a pinch of salt and black pepper for a crunchy and healthy snack.
6. Astringent, Mildly Bitter, and Pungent Foods
Ayurveda suggests including astringent foods in your monsoon diet because they are cooling and boost immunity. Examples include unripe papaya, pomegranate, legumes, ginger, and green beans.
Fun Tip: Make a refreshing salad with unripe papaya, pomegranate seeds, and a dash of lemon juice for a nutritious and tasty treat.
What to Avoid During Monsoon
1. Fish and Seafood
Monsoon is the breeding season for fish and other aquatic animals, so it’s not sustainable to eat them during this period. Plus, the risk of waterborne diseases and diarrhoea is high.
2. Aerated Drinks and Sour Foods
These items may cause indigestion, specifically during the monsoons, and hence are best avoided.
3. Daytime Naps
Excessive sleeping or sleeping during the day, which disturbs your circadian rhythm, must be avoided as it slows down your metabolism and hampers digestion.
Ayurvedic Tips to Improve Digestion During Monsoon
1. Include Ghee in Your Food
Cow ghee is a valuable food in Ayurveda. It stimulates digestive juices, helps your body absorb nutrients, and is effective in curbing gut inflammation. Consume half a teaspoon of ghee before every meal.
Fun Tip: Use ghee to make your monsoon snacks like parathas or drizzle it over hot steamed rice for a comforting and healthy meal.
2. Ginger: The Ayurvedic Wonder-Food
Ginger increases the secretion of saliva, bile, and gastric juices. It helps rapidly break down food and assimilate nutrients. Consume a small portion of grated ginger with a dash of rock salt before each meal to prevent heartburn.
Fun Tip: Brew a cup of ginger tea with a splash of honey and lemon. It's a soothing drink that can ease digestive discomfort and keep you warm during the rain.
3. Foods with High Water Content
Consume water-laden fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, citrus fruits, watermelons, and strawberries. These foods keep you hydrated and aid in digestion.
Fun Tip: Make a refreshing salad with these water-laden fruits and vegetables, topped with a light dressing of lemon juice and a sprinkle of black salt.
4. Diet Choices
Eat foods like rice, barley, pulses, or green gram in freshly cooked meals. If possible, reduce the quantity of wheat. Avoid uncooked vegetables, leafy vegetables, meat, and curd, as they may slow down digestion and cause health issues.
Fun Tip: Try making a simple yet delicious khichdi with rice and moong dal, flavoured with mild spices and a touch of ghee. It's easy on the stomach and incredibly nourishing.
5. Lifestyle Changes
Skip daytime naps to avoid slowing down your digestion and metabolism. Avoid too much stress or sun exposure in the afternoon, and keep yourself warm and dry.
Fun Tip: Engage in light yoga or pranayama in the morning to boost your metabolism and digestion naturally.
Your digestion is delicate during the monsoon, so give it a helping hand with Ayurveda’s remedies. Enjoy the rain, stay healthy, and keep your gut happy with these simple tips!
Enjoy your monsoon days!
Neerja Bhatnagar
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