What should we eat in monsoon to stay healthy?

Warm, freshly cooked, light food like khichdi, dal, soups and seasonal vegetables, flavoured with ginger, turmeric and pepper.

What should we avoid in the rainy season?

Street food, uncovered cut fruit, untreated water, and leafy greens that are not washed very well.

How can I prevent dengue and malaria in monsoon?

Prevent mosquito breeding by removing standing water, use nets and repellents, and wear full-sleeved clothes at dawn and dusk.

Immunity10 min

How to stay healthy in monsoon: boiled water, warm fresh food, dry feet and no stagnant water

The rains bring relief from heat but also stomach infections, colds, fungal infections and mosquito-borne fevers. This guide on how to stay healthy in monsoon covers the basics that make the biggest difference: safe water, warm fresh food with ginger, tulsi and turmeric, dry feet and skin, and no stagnant water around the home.

Why the rainy season brings illness

Humidity and standing water help bacteria, fungi and mosquitoes thrive. Water supplies can get contaminated, digestion tends to be weaker, and damp clothes and shoes invite skin infections.

Ayurveda's ritucharya for varsha ritu advises light, warm, freshly cooked meals, boiled water, and spices like ginger, black pepper and hing to support digestion.

Ingredients

Boiled or purified drinking water
Ginger, tulsi, turmeric, black pepper, hing
Seasonal vegetables, moong dal, khichdi

How to prepare

Boil drinking water for a few minutes and store covered, or use a reliable purifier.
Cook fresh meals and eat them warm.

How to use

Drink boiled or purified water through the day.
Add ginger, turmeric and a pinch of hing to dals and sabzis; sip tulsi-ginger tea once a day.
Keep feet dry and clean; dry between toes after coming in from the rain.

Helpful habits

Avoid street food, cut fruit from outside and raw salads from uncertain sources.
Empty coolers, pots and trays weekly; use nets and repellents.
Wash hands with soap before eating and after coming home.

Precautions

See a doctor for fever lasting more than 2 days, high fever with body ache or rash, vomiting, or loose motions with blood.
People with diabetes should check feet daily for cuts and fungal infections.
Keep kadha mild for children and people with acidity.

Frequently asked questions

What should we eat in monsoon to stay healthy?: Warm, freshly cooked, light food like khichdi, dal, soups and seasonal vegetables, flavoured with ginger, turmeric and pepper.
What should we avoid in the rainy season?: Street food, uncovered cut fruit, untreated water, and leafy greens that are not washed very well.
How can I prevent dengue and malaria in monsoon?: Prevent mosquito breeding by removing standing water, use nets and repellents, and wear full-sleeved clothes at dawn and dusk.