7 Foods to Avoid for Better Health During the Monsoon Season

7 Foods to Avoid for Better Health During the Monsoon Season,

Refreshing rains, refreshing breezes, and a welcome respite from the scorching summer heat are all part of the monsoon season. However, despite its enticing appeal, it also raises the risk of a number of health issues, including infections, food poisoning, indigestion, and diseases transmitted by water.

This is because the high humidity and damp environment during monsoon encourage the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, especially in food and water.

During this time of year, you need to be careful about what you eat and stay away from foods that can easily get contaminated or make your stomach upset. To maintain healthy digestion and strong immunity during the monsoon season, here are seven foods to avoid.

1. Leafy Green Vegetables

While green vegetables like spinach, cabbage, and lettuce are usually a healthy choice, they are best avoided in the monsoon season. Leafy greens' damp environment makes it ideal for the growth of germs, worms, and bacteria. Some contaminants may not be removed by thorough washing, and eating them raw or only partially cooked can cause stomach infections.

Why avoid:

Probability of bacterial contamination is high. Risk of diarrhea, typhoid, and cholera

Difficult to clean completely due to multiple layers

Better options include: Choose well-cooked vegetables like bottle gourd (lauki), ridge gourd (turai), or bitter gourd (karela) instead of raw leafy greens because they are easier to digest and less likely to be contaminated.

2. Chaat and street food When it's raining, it's tempting to eat spicy street food like pani puri, bhel puri, or samosas, but this is also when it can be most dangerous. Street vendors often use water that may not be clean, and food kept in the open is exposed to flies and dust. In humid weather, food spoils faster, increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Why avoid:

contaminated pani puri and chutney water pollution, flies, and dust exposure Dysentery, stomach flu, and typhoid fever are all more likely. Safer alternatives:

If you crave chaat, make it at home using boiled water, fresh ingredients, and proper hygiene.

3. Fish and other fish Monsoon is breeding season for fish and seafood, which means they are more likely to be contaminated or carry parasites. Because damp weather affects storage, fresh fish is questionable, and stale fish can cause severe stomach infections or food poisoning. Why do not: High risk of bacterial contamination

Seasonal breeding makes seafood unsafe

inadequate storage in humid environments Safer alternatives:

Choose other protein-rich options like eggs, lentils, and well-cooked chicken until after the monsoon season.

4. Snacks Made of Oil and Fried Pakoras, bhajiyas, samosas, and other deep-fried snacks are a monsoon favorite, but they can be hard to digest during this season. The high oil content slows down metabolism, and in the humid weather, the body’s digestive efficiency is already reduced. Bloating, acidity, and sluggishness are possible outcomes of this. Why do not: increases the likelihood of acidity and indigestion. Can cause weight gain due to low activity levels in rainy season

Frying oil can be reused, making it even more harmful.

Safer alternatives:

Snacks like baked or air-fried roasted chickpeas, baked samosas, or steamed corn are another option.

5. Remove Fruits from Merchants Roadside vendors frequently leave cut fruits uncovered, attracting dust and flies. Even if they look fresh, they may be contaminated with harmful bacteria or parasites. Food contamination occurs quickly during the monsoon, raising the risk of stomach infections and typhoid. Why do not: Increased exposure to germs and flies

knife and unwashed hands contamination It's possible that the fruit-rinsing water is unsafe.

Better options include: Always consume fruits that have just been cut, washed thoroughly with clean water, at home. Seasonal fruits like pears, pomegranates, bananas, and apples are good choices.

6.Cold and carbonated drinks During the monsoon, soft drinks and cold sodas may appear refreshing, but they actually weaken the digestive system. Additionally, they reduce stomach enzyme activity, making it more difficult for the body to digest food. Additionally, high sugar content lowers immunity, making you more vulnerable to infections.

Why do not: impedes digestion and enzyme function Excess sugar reduces immunity

Artificial additives can cause acidity

Better options include: Choose warm beverages like ginger tea, herbal teas, or lemon-honey water to aid digestion and boost immunity.

7. Raw Salads and Grains Sprouted Despite their abundance of nutrients, raw salads and sprouts pose a risk during monsoons. The humid climate promotes rapid bacterial growth on uncooked foods. Even a small contamination can cause stomach upset or food poisoning.

Why do not: High bacterial growth risk in raw sprouts and salads

May lead to diarrhea and digestive issues

Difficult to clean completely

Better options include: Steam sprouts before eating and opt for lightly cooked salads instead of raw ones. Adding lemon juice and spices can make them both tasty and safe.

Extra Tips to Stay Healthy in Monsoon

Avoiding these foods is just one step. Here are some extra precautions to stay safe during the rainy season:

To avoid getting sick from water, only drink water that has been boiled or filtered. Before being cooked, thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables with clean water.

Eat freshly cooked meals instead of storing food for long hours.

Boost immunity with vitamin C-rich foods like oranges, amla, and guava.

The antibacterial properties of spices like garlic, ginger, and turmeric can be utilized in cooking.

You can enjoy the rains without getting sick by being cautious, eating food that has been freshly prepared, and washing your hands regularly. Always remember that it is better to prevent illness than to treat it, especially in damp, disease-prone weather.