Major health concerns during the monsoon are:

• Increased chances of communicable diseases due to lowered vitality.
• Increased energy demand by the body, which leads to excess food intake and cravings.

Recommendations for better immunity:

The diet should contain vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibres. In fibres, we need to take care to have soluble fibres, as these are more important. They are mainly found in seasonal fruits and other fruits such as papaya, pomegranates, cherries, pears, apples, jackfruits, lemon, orange, and mosambi.

These kinds of citrus fruits contain plenty of vitamin C and fibres too, and will assist in boosting your immunity, plus help to develop better gut bacteria. The recommended vegetables for the monsoon season are the gourd varieties, such as bottle gourd, bitter gourd, ash gourd, ridge gourd, and snake gourd. Other vegetables are those that are available in plenty during this season, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, okra, and radish – all of which are alkaline in nature and hence improve one’s immunity.

The most important fruits and vegetables are:

Broccoli:
Broccoli is a rich source of vitamins C, E, and K, and also contains plenty of fibres, plus mineral elements such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. These help to improve digestion and maintain immunity.

Oranges:
The orange is a citrus fruit that contains plenty of ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. It will increase your immunity by promoting the production of WBC cells. This citrus fruit also contains other nutrients, such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium, which enhance one’s overall health.

Pomegranates:
Eating or drinking pomegranate juice boosts your immunity and helps the body fight chronic diseases, control high blood pressure, and enhance digestion, besides being beneficial for the skin. It contains vitamins B12, C, A, and E, which have antiviral and antioxidant nutrients.

Beetroots: 

Beetroots help lower blood pressure levels, prevent anaemia, and reduce inflammation in the body while helping it fight against several infections. It is recommended to add beetroot to your diet during this monsoon to strengthen your immune system.

Recommendations to prevent excess food intake and cravings:

• Include fat-rich fruits like avocados, and nuts and seeds, in your breakfast.
• Reduce the intake of refined carbs.
• Whenever you feel hungry or have cravings, use healthy snacks made of dehydrated vegetables, millet-based snacks, and nuts.
• Use healthy oils such as coconut and olive oil, etc., for salad dressings, as they help to give a higher feeling of satiety.

Disclaimer

The sole purpose of this article is to provide information about naturopathy. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease. If you have an acute or chronic health concern, please consult a naturopathy doctor who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively.