5 IMMUNITY-BOOSTING FOODS THIS MONSOON

The thought of catching infections and flu is always a concern in the monsoons. 
 
The damp weather makes us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with the monsoon season like cold and flu, throat infections and stomach problems. 
 
It is best to keep from processed and junk food items as well as refined flour and sugar. 
 
HERE ARE 5 IMMUNITY-BOOSTING FOODS THIS MONSOON.
 
INDIAN SPICES:
  • INCLUDE MORE OF IMMUNE BOOSTING SPICES IN YOUR FOOD LIKE TURMERIC, MUSTARD, ASAFOETIDA (HING), 
  • CORIANDER, TURMERIC, FENUGREEK, AJWAIN, CLOVES, PEPPER, CINNAMON, GARLIC, ADRAK (GINGER), AND KADHI PATTA 
  • (CURRY LEAVES) THAT HELP WITH FOOD DIGESTION AND HELPS FLUSH OUT ANY SINUSES FROM THE BODY. 
  • A PINCH OF TURMERIC IN A GLASS OF LUKEWARM WATER FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, ESPECIALLY IN THIS SEASON, CAN PROVE QUITE BENEFICIAL. 
  • ONE CAN ALSO MAKE HERBAL TEAS WHICH ARE PACKED WITH ANTI -BACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF HERBS AND SPICES SUCH TULSI, CINNAMON AND GINGER.
 
FRUITS:
  • SEASONAL FRUITS HAVE PHYTONUTRIENTS WHICH ARE NEEDED TO FIGHT BACTERIA AND INFECTIONS. 
  • CONSUME FRUITS WHICH CONTAIN NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS AND ARE SEASONAL IN NATURE SUCH AS CHERRIES, 
  • LYCHEE, JAMUN, PEACHES, PLUMS AND GUAVA TO IMPROVE ONE’S IMMUNITY. TRY TO SOURCE ORGANIC ONES.
 
DRY FRUITS, NUTS AND SEEDS:
  • WALNUTS, ALMONDS, AND DATES PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR BUILDING IMMUNITY. 
  • THEY ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF VITAMIN E AND MAKE A WHOLESOME SNACK. GROUNDNUTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN 
  • SEASON CAN MAKE A GREAT EVENING SNACK.
 
AMLA OR OTHER VITAMIN C RICH FOODS:
  • FOODS THAT ARE HIGH IN VITAMIN C ARE A GREAT SOURCE OF IMMUNITY BOOSTERS. AMLA (GOOSEBERRIES), LEMON, 
  • GINGER MAKE A PERFECT DRINK AND ARE ALSO GREAT SOURCES OF VITAMIN C. CAN BE HAD AS A JUICE OR EATEN 
  • RAW WITH SOME TURMERIC AND SALT AS A SNACK. CAN ALSO ADD IT IN VEGGIE JUICES OR LIME JUICE EVERYDAY.
 
MUSHROOMS:
  • MUSHROOMS ARE RICH IN B VITAMINS AND ANTIOXIDANTS. THE B VITAMINS PLAY A PART IN HEALTHY IMMUNE 
  • FUNCTIONS WHILE SELENIUM HAS BEEN LINKED TO A DECREASED RISK OF SEVERE INFECTIONS.
  • MUSHROOMS ARE ALSO A GOOD SOURCE OF PROTEINS AS THEY CONTAIN ALL 17 ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS NEEDED 
  • BY THE BODY. INCLUDE THEM IN SANDWICHES AND SPRUCE THEM UP WITH OTHER SEASONAL VEGGIES. 
  • YOU CAN ALSO USE THEM TO MAKE DELICIOUS SOUPS OR STIR FRIES.