Seasonal Foods
Diet according to Summer, Winter and Monsoon/Rainy Season
We must change our diet and consume food as per season to adapt our body to the climatic changes and to stay healthy.
AAvoid eating street or junk food during the rains. Very few people have the immunity to handle bacterial overload at such places.
*Eat bitter vegetables like neem, fenugreek, turmeric and bitter gourd to prevent infection.
*Beverages - Any warm drink in general will make you feel better but coffee in particular has been known to have heating properties.Tea helps to cool our body.
Root Vegetables - Carrots, white radish, onion and garlic are rich in isothiocyanates, indoles and phytochemicals that help prevent cancer.Potatoes and yams provides high level of energy. These vegetables good to consume in all seasons.
Leafy greens - Methii, Palak are considered as a good source of beta-carotene and Vitamin C. These powerful antioxidants helps fight disease and build immunity. Others in this category are coriander, amaranth, celery, radish greens, etc. Other vegetables - Green beans ,broad beans and peas are high energy and high-protein vegetables.
Whole Grain Cereals and Pulses - High energy and protein foods provide the required fuel to combat the cold. Rava, whole-wheat flour, moong-dal, vermicelli, badam, pumpkin, Makai and bajra rotis have the warmth-giving quality.
Fresh and Dried Fruits - Papaya and pineapple are believed to provide warmth. Amla is loaded with Vitamin C, and is very good to build your immunity. Thats the reason why amla juice and amla muraba are available in plenty during winter. Dates are warm in nature and are highly recommended in the winter months. Not only are they a good source of fibre, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins (C and B3), they are also a good source of energy. Consume them as they are or as a barfi, pulp or in milk.
Spices - Mustard, asafoetida (hing), black pepper, fenugreek, ajwain all are warm spices. Mustard, ajwain is a valuable remedy for winter coughs and flu, stimulating appetite,digestion and increasing blood circulation. Methi (dry or sprouted) is very beneficial in bone and joint problems that surface more in winter. Turmeric is a natural anti-microbial immunity builder.Garlic acts as a thermogenic and aids to increase your body temperature and metabolism rate.Pepper is also good for digestion, gas and is known to have anti-bacterial properties.
Herbs and Seeds - Basil (tulsi) protects body against cold, fever and helps strengthen immunity. The til or sesame gives warmth to the body and good to consume in winter.
Eat always fresh, organic, easy to digest, pure and wholesome food. These include fresh vegetables and fruits/dry fruits, dairy products, nuts/oilseeds, whole grains/legumes and ghee.
Besides these, some spices have anti-microbial properties that protect us from colds and infections.
Excess of heat or cold food, both affects our body. So in a balanced way, according to seasons, it is necessary to consume these foods as per seasons. Barley, tomatoes, watermelons, and bananas all gives cooling effect good to consume in summer.
We must change our diet and consume food as per season to adapt our body to the climatic changes and to stay healthy.
| Summer Food |
| Winter | Summer | Monsoon/Rainy |
|---|---|---|
Root Vegetables - Carrots, white radish,
Potatoes and yams
pearl millet
papaya,pinneapple,indian gooseberry,dates
|
|
Take
1.warm beverages/water
2.ginger garlic, ginger, pepper, turmeric, asafoetida, jeera,mint and coriander
for good digestion and immunity
3.Makka, chana, besan and jow (oats)
4.vegetables, fruits rich in Vitamin C and cereals
5.Neem,fenugreek, turmeric and bitter gourd to prevent infection. |
*Drink warm beverages during the monsoons. Add ginger or mint powder to your tea or milk.
AAvoid eating street or junk food during the rains. Very few people have the immunity to handle bacterial overload at such places.
*-
*Use plenty of garlic, ginger, pepper, turmeric, asafoetida, jeera and coriander while cooking as this enhances digestive power and improves immunity.
*Eat foods that are dry in nature. Corn, chana, gram flour and oats are very good for your health.
*Reduce the consumption of meat and fish and include more of vegetables, fruits and cereals in your diet.
*Honey is an excellent tonic that helps keep the intestines sterile. It also assists in digestion.
| Winter Food |
*Consume lots of vitamin C and citrus fruits to boost your immunity. Make sure that you are eating at home mostly during this time. Avoid eating out during the rains.
*Almonds generates heat and keeps the body warm.It combat anaemia and its consumption is good for heart. Since it generates heat, it is advisable to soak almonds in water before consuming them in the summer.
| Hot Soup for Rainy Season |
*Beverages - Any warm drink in general will make you feel better but coffee in particular has been known to have heating properties.Tea helps to cool our body.
The presence of capsaicin in green or red chilly gives heating effect to our body and it is good to consume in winter.
Good post.I started drinking green tea once a day but came down with a severe case of allergic rhinitis after some days--could there be a connection?Is it a coolant?
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