Looking at the sharp summer sun, it hardly looks believable that soon enough it will give way to the rainy skies. So, even though we might still be reeling under the horrid heat, it may be wise to plan ahead for the humid monsoons that are just around the corner. Just as the summer months call for a special diet plan, the rains too bring along with them a need to balance our food habits for a healthy body. while the overcast sky makes you crave for pakodas and garam chai, according to health experts, you must follow a healthy and strict diet during monsoons. Delhi based physician Dr Sheela Shah says, “After the hot spell of summer, monsoons bring along milder weather and humid conditions. Together they create ideal conditions for germs to propagate. During these months, other illnesses such as flu become very common. So it is all the more necessary to boost up your immune system by eating healthy, anti-oxidant rich foods that help keep the diseases at bay.”
To help you have a happy monsoon, here are some nutritionist recommended healthy but insanely yummy foods that you have to try.
The Healthy Honey Chai
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We know that monsoons and chai go hand in hand and it would be cruel to ask you to cut down on tea while enjoying the soothing pitter-patter outside. So, the good news is that there is no need to give up on your good, old cuppa of joy as, according to nutritionists, tea is rich in immunity boosting anti-oxidants. But a smart rainy season strategy would be to add a few additional (read flavor enhancing) ingredients to your tea. Add a teaspoon of raw honey and a pinch of grated ginger. Try replacing your regular tea leaves with white tea for a real immunity boost. The honey-ginger tea works as a health tonic and soothes a sore throat – the number one problem doctors say people complain of as soon as it starts pouring.
Tuber Party
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Monsoons are also the time to bring in all the tuberous veggies into your kitchen. Vegetables such as potatoes, yam, artichoke etc are grown underground and are less susceptible to the bacteria lurking around everywhere during the season. So, go ahead blend on those artichoke dips and dish up those boiled potato chaats. Monsoons will never seem any less savoury!
Bring On The Basil Sangrias
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And before you thought that monsoon eating may be all about carefully selected, healthy (read boring) choices, then here’s the twist you are sure to love. Just because hot summer evenings will be replaced with moister days does not mean you need to stop stocking up on your home made pitchers of sangria mocktails. Just add a few more ingredients, like a generous splash of basil and mint leaves for their anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties. Not only will they add zest to your other seasonal ingredients such as cherries or peaches, but will act as a health tonic you can sip on all day long.
Now that we are talking about all these interesting food options to try, we bet you can’t wait for the rains to arrive.
