It’s raining and pouring. It’s the ‘purrfect’ weather to snuggle in with a plateful of delectable bhajjis—but if only all the unwanted germs were somewhere else other than your digestive tract. So, before that brings you down physically and mentally, swing into action and rally the rainbow nutrients into your food index to celebrate a healthy constitution. Bring in the extra power from these five quarters to stay protected:
Yummy Yogurt
Healthy gut flora is what you need essentially to combat the rigours of the germs and the infections floating around. Says Chef Amrita Raichand, “Curd is a natural probiotic and helps in strengthening your immunity.” For best results, consume twice a day. “Curd works as an active probiotic, bringing in good bacteria that aids in the digestion of your food, produces Vitamin B12 which improves immune response and creates favourable conditions for pre-existing gut flora to combat diseases,” explains Sunjay Ghai of Hello Green by Revofit, a range of products tailored for healthy living. “It is better to consume it in a fasting stage (on an empty stomach or two hours after lunch) since your gut flora is nourished, which in turn nourishes your body through the day.”
2G Rules
Nope, we are not talking about cellular technology. Let’s hark back to the days of your grandma: Each time you got a chest-rattling cough, she strung together freshly peeled pods of garlic to sit on your chest at night and the phlegm quietly made an exit the following morning. Lesson: Never underestimate the goodness of the two ‘G’s—ginger and garlic. “Keep large knobs of ginger, and pods of garlic handy to use liberally to lace your soups, broths and hot sips during monsoon,” says Chef Rakhee Vaswani. Their anti-inflammatory properties make them a powerhouse of nutrition. So toss freely, toasted, into your chicken soup for the day and the soul.
Turmeric Tales
This natural antiseptic comes to your rescue with its artillery of healing powers to fob off every infection. A spot of haldi in your hot milk or in a spoonful of honey soothes and strengthens your biology like a commando. “It is a good idea to begin your day with a glass of warm water, haldi, and a light sprinkle of black pepper—it catalyses the functioning of the turmeric once it enters your body,” says Amrita. Turmeric contains the antioxidant curcumin, famed for its anti-inammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. Since our body has a restrained ability to absorb this nutrient, the piperine (a great antioxidant again) in black pepper helps in catalysing its consumption.
Fresh Fruits
Always eat fresh, seasonal, locally available fruits, as a rule. You need to ensure that the fruits are washed well before consumption. Skip buying pre-cut portions as they come laced with bacteria and germs. Adds Sunjay, “Seasonal fruits, like litchis, bananas, plums, peaches, cherries, and more need to be consumed fresh, and in isolation for a better nutrient absorption by our body. So avoid combining with meals. Either consume as your first ingestion or in between meals. These fruits are rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals and Vitamin C, and aid your fight against cell injury, enhancing your immunity.”
Herbal Tea
This is your biggest shot at a vitamin cocktail and a metabolism propper, rolled into one. Squeeze in a bit of lemon for that Vitamin C punch. Add a dash of organic honey as a rich antioxidant and you are set. “Herbal tea is a staple in the Indian diet. Its anti-bacterial properties, from cinnamon, ginger, cloves, lemon grass, jaggery or honey strengthen your immune system,” adds Sunjay. So, indulge this monsoon and stay healthy, too.
STAY FIT,STAY STRONG
Avoid eating raw foods during the rains. It is always safer to eat hot, grilled foods.
Stick to light meats, cook them well before consumption
Skip street food totally as it comes laced with bugs and germs during monsoon
Ensure intake of clean and potable water. Ideally, boil water before consumption.
Eat freshly cooked food. Eat on time, consume minimal portions. Remember to eat as per your need, not greed.
Follow an exercise regime. It enervates you and makes you stay fighting fit.
(Source: Amrita Raichand and Rakhee Vaswani)