Boost your immunity

The season has changed and with that, it is time to change our food

It was so simple 20 years ago, we only got seasonal vegetables, fruits, and grains. Our mothers had the knowledge what could be eaten in what seasons and they did not need to refer to any book for that.

They knew that when the rain is pouring outside the windows it was time to stop leafy greens, cabbage, cauliflower, mangoes et al, as there were packed with worms.

It was common sense for them that waterborne diseases are rampant, and it was crucial to watch what we put in our mouths.

I am constantly shocked that most people of my age, born in the sixties, have started consuming any produce at any time of the year and don’t know what is seasonal.

And today’s young mothers are totally clueless. It would be great, if one could learn to eat seasonally and use food as a tool to create a firewall in our bodies, protecting us against germs, viruses and everything harmful in the environment.

When you look at your fruits, it's time to bid farewell to mangoes, but some wonderful fruits have arrived. We have apples, peaches, plums, and pears to choose from.

The fresh corn is back some boiled corn with salt butter, red chilli powder, and lemon makes you want to curl up with your favourite book or movie.

All the spices and herbs are great for increasing the immunity as well as for fighting infections and diseases, which are the bane of the monsoon especially turmeric and ginger.

Apart from this in the vegetable kingdom, you have the entire gourd family, sword beans, peppers, onions, cucumbers, and pumpkins are low in calories and are easily digestible.

Pumpkins are an effective soldier for the eyes’ health. One gets the most amazing quality of the brownish orange yam (elephant foot yam) in the monsoon boiled and sautéed in cows’ ghee with cumin seeds, ginger, green chilli, and salt is delicious.

With a vast variety of grains to choose from we can add on Ragi(finger millet), wheat, rice and jowar (sorghum) bhakris with ghee on it tastes amazing in the monsoon and makes them easy to digest.

Piping hot dals, and curries are soothing in the monsoon as a protein choice. Avoid fish as in the monsoon it is of poor quality.

Add a pinch of cinnamon to hot water infusions as an option. This is an antidote to keep away waterborne diseases. What could be better than a delicious cup of green tea?

The good thing is that now it’s available in an array of flavours, from tulsi, mint to lemon-ginger. Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants, which are your body’s defence mechanism against various harmful infiltrators into our system.

Shun the leafy greens, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli as they are full of worms. Stay away from roadside food especially the pani puri, chats, and bhel unless it is cooked. Eat food that is fresh and not stored overnight.

One could also go for walks in the drizzle, to maintain your exercise schedule. At the same time remember not to stress yourself out by worrying too much. Enjoy the beauty of nature around you.