The monsoon demands that we halt our world tour, sit back and gaze out of the window leisurely. Everything is so fresh after the first few showers, isn’t it? I view this season with mixed feelings. I love the fact that the roads, trees and even the buildings washed anew look fresh and inviting. But being a mother of two I also know that this season brings in its wake some real dangers of falling sick easily.
So this is the season when our immunity really needs a booster dose. How do we do that, you may ask. You just need to up the health quotient in your diet and voila, be ready to enjoy the monsoon to the hilt!
The first and foremost thing to remember while choosing a diet for the monsoon is to ensure that it is light and easy to digest. It should comprise food from all food groups and there should be plenty of fluid intake. Besides these pointers, following are a few foods which may help boost your immunity this monsoon season:
Soups
The temperature has come down and you can even feel a slight shiver during the early morning hours. Keeping yourself well hydrated during this time is of key importance. If you find it difficult to gulp down bottles of water, then this is the time for everything nice and warm. You could choose to drink warm soups, some of which are fairly easy to prepare. A steaming bowl of daal (lentils ) ka paani will also be a good choice. Full of nutrients, both soup and daal ka paani can be tempered to suit your choice. Adding garlic and some chilli to them will raise the taste quotient and make them doubly beneficial. This also makes for a great meal when you aren’t feeling too well.
Dry fruit and nuts
What is there not to like about a handful of nuts!! Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, anjeer, kishmish, dates all these and more are full of important vitamins. What’s more, all of them contain important minerals and anti-oxidants which help to keep you healthy and have many benefits on the outside such as glossy hair and supple skin.
Green vegetables
Load up your plate with the season’s best vegetables. This is the time when vegetables in various colours are found abundantly. Be it pumpkins, bell peppers, sweet potatoes, brinjals or broccolis. All of these vegetables are rich in vitamin A besides providing you plenty of fibre.
Indian spices
A liberal amount of spices found in every kitchen across the country can be used in the food we eat at this time of the year. Coriander, cloves, pepper, cinnamon, fenugreek and turmeric and the other spices help boost your immunity and fight diseases bigger than common cold as they all have antiseptic properties.
Herbal tea
A healthy concoction of garam masalas in your tea is sure to keep illness at bay. Adding elaichi or cardamom, ginger, and tulsi leaves is a great and delicious way to heighten your immunity.
Besides what you should and must do this season there are a few things that you shouldn’t or at best avoid as much as possible. As this is the time when water-borne diseases are rampant avoid eating street food. Try to stay away from fried food and eat fresh as far as possible.