Each season comes with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating seasonal food during the monsoons not only has plenty of health benefits but it is one of the most important factors to keep many monsoon-related illnesses and diseases at bay. Monsoons bring along many bacterial and viral diseases, coupled with the current situation of COVID-19, making it even more critical that we eat well to keep up our immunity.
Seasonal produce is fresher due to naturally being harvested at a particular time, thus abundant in flavor. Fresh produce that is locally sourced is automatically higher in nutritional value, avoiding contamination by eliminating the transportation process. It is also more environmentally friendly.
Here are 5 foods you should avoid during monsoon season
- Leafy greens: Though they come with a long list of benefits, leafy greens and vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, and cabbage are prone to germs due to the way they are grown. Instead, consuming green vegetables like bitter gourd and bottle gourd are better alternatives, though they should be washed and cooked properly.
- Fried Food: While it is fine to consume fried food in limited quantities, any excess can result in indigestion and other gut-related problems.
- Seafood: The breeding season for fish and other seafood is during monsoons, making you susceptible to water-borne diseases. If you are looking to consume animal protein, it is best to stick to chicken, mutton, eggs, etc., albeit the freshest kind, cooked well.
- Soft Drinks: Soft drinks reduce the nutrients in our body. Coupled with a vulnerable digestive system, this can also cause gut-related troubles such as indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation. Substituting these with warm beverages like tea will support gut health as well.
- Raw Vegetables: Eating raw vegetables has its benefits, but it is best to avoid them during monsoons. Any germs or insects present in these vegetables get eliminated during the cooking process. If not properly cooked, they can directly affect our stomach.
Dharana Wellness Centre, a wellness retreat near Mumbai, focuses on holistic health, including physical, mental, and spiritual balance. One of the main pillars of this eco wellness retreat lies in the farm-to-table food philosophy, which encourages an organic approach to consuming food. Fresh produce is picked from the organic farm and is prepared using slow-cooking techniques. As an Ayurvedic healing center in India, Dharana combines an integrative, modern approach for holistic health with modern diagnostics and traditional practices like Yoga and Ayurveda to ensure a sustainable wellness journey.
