Monsoons are here and so is it time to enjoy a cup of hot tea with garam-garam pakoras? Not really! Want to know why? Read on to find out…
Rains do provide respite from the scorching heat and dripping sweat but this season puts you at risk of various diseases that are spread through food and water. So this monsoon keep a tab on what you eat and drink to lower your risk of infections. Here is a quick list of foods to avoid in monsoons.
Pani puri/gol gappa/puchkas: You need to avoid this savoury snack during rains. Think of the dust and flies hovering around roadside stalls and contaminated water which increases the risk of diarrhea. It is the perfect season for bacteria to breed and lead to infections.
Also, it is better to drink only boiled and purified water in this season. So even if your gol-gappa vendor is using bottled water for the pani, the water used in the ice may not be from the same source.
Fried foods: Fried food (pakora, chaat, samosa etc.) is loaded with oil, which makes it difficult to digest, especially in the monsoon when your digestive system is sluggish. Hence, adding extra pressure on the stomach can lead to indigestion and stomach pain.
Seafood: One of the reasons to stay away from seafood during monsoons is because it’s the breeding season for sea creatures. As a result, fresh seafood is scarce, so you might end up having stale and contaminated food which can cause food poisoning and stomach infection.
Pre-cut fruits and fruit juices: Stay away from raw and chopped fruits, which are kept open, as the risk of contamination through flies and other pests is high. This can lead to food poisoning and stomach infections.
Leafy vegetables: Monsoons turn leafy vegetables damp and dirty as they are grown in swampy areas. Moreover, these veggies are not stored in hygienic places, which exposes the leaves to worms and other pests that spread infection. So it is better to avoid leafy veggies this season.
Dairy products: A cup of chai in the morning can make your day, especially during monsoons. However, restrict the intake of milk and dairy products as there are high chances of contamination. Also, milk is loaded with germs and bacteria that can up the risk of spreading infections during rains.
Water-rich fruits: Monsoon is not the right season to enjoy summer fruits such as mangoes, muskmelon and watermelon. These fruits have high water and sugar content, which increases the chances of fungal and bacterial growth. Also, these types of fruits are highly perishable and can be contaminated easily.
Salads/raita: Raw foods are major sources of germs and during monsoons, the risk of contamination is very high. It is best to avoid raw vegetables in the form of salads and raitas. But, if you do use it, then boil or steam the vegetables before making your raita.
Recommended Reads:
5 Herbal Teas To Boost Your Immunity This Monsoon Season
Natural Ways To Cope With Common Health Problems During Monsoons