After four long months of scorching summer the monsoon season comes with a wave of happiness. The pleasant earthy smell calls for some family time over a plate of hot snacks and a cup of ginger tea. Although we usually welcome the change in temperature, monsoon also brings its share of problems. It is often accompanied with certain health problems like flu, cold, cough, and may also affect our digestive system.
Therefore, it is important to look after our health and keep the normal functioning of our immune system healthy by consuming a balanced diet, maintaining good hygiene, getting adequate rest, etc.
Here are top six tips you can adopt to stay healthy this monsoon:
1. A great start to your day
Jump start your day with a healthy breakfast. A healthy and a balanced breakfast plate should include a mix of carbohydrates, fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals. To get this fill you can have a bowl of whole grain cereals, a glass of milk or a bowl of curd and a handful of dry fruits.
2. Consume enough fibre
Making healthier choices can improve digestion and reduce risk of falling ill during monsoon. Adequate consumption of fibre during the monsoon helps keeping the digestive system healthy. Consume more nuts, grains, fruit, vegetables etc. to get your daily intake of fibres. Including fibre in your diet provides a feeling of fullness.
3. Keep a check on the portion size
Monsoon cuts down our physical activity considerably, hence it’s important we keep a check on how much we eat. Practice portion control with minor tweaks in your daily eating habits by choosing smaller plates, bowls and spoons, taking time to enjoy the meal and paying deep attention to hunger and fullness cues.
4. Include a rainbow of foods
To maintain a healthy diet and keep the diseases in monsoon at bay make sure you include coloured fruits and veggies to your meal. Be creative and include generous servings of fruits and vegetables as they are the cornerstone of good health. Top up your salad with fruits or have a fruit bowl as a dessert, add different coloured veggies to your plate to make it look appealing. They have all the nutrients required to increase your immunity and keep you healthy.
5. Maintain a good hygiene
Practicing good hygiene is as crucial as eating healthy during the monsoons. Keeping your environment healthy and clean keeps a host of illnesses at bay. Make sure your house and surrounding areas are clean and do not have stagnant water, clogging or leakage. Everytime you sit down to eat, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. Keeping a sanitizer handy while you step out is a must. It’s also important that you wash your vegetables and fruits before eating or cooking them.
6. Don’t eat from outside
Although during monsoons, our taste buds have their own set of strong cravings for pakoras, bhajiyas, panipuri, etc. it’s wiser you cater to them by cooking at home. Food from street vendors and even restaurants may have bacteria that can cause illness. Avoid drinking water from outside and carry a bottle of your own as you have to be sure what you drink is free from any impurity or contamination.
Following these tips can help to keep you healthy during the monsoon. Have a safe and happy monsoon!
Disclaimer: Indian Health Bureau does not claim any responsibility for the information contained in this article. The information may not hold good for everyone. The post is for general awareness only and should not be construed as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Please consult your doctor to know what is good for you.
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