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5 Foods You Should Avoid Eating During Monsoons

5 Foods You Shouldn't Eat During Monsoons

There are many foods out there that seem like an ideal fit for monsoons! Samosas, Pakodas, a hot cup of tea or roasted corn on the cob can all seem a little too tempting when it rains. While there are many foods you should eat during the rainy season, there are some you should definitely avoid at all costs.

Top 5 Foods You Should Avoid Eating During Monsoons

  1. Fried Foods: Munching on hot fried foods while binge watching you favorite show to the sound of rain outside might seem like a good idea but is it? Be it Pakodas, Puris, Fryums or Fritters, deep fried foods need to be avoided at all costs in this weather. The reason being that these foods take longer for digestions, to break down and thereby, they make a person extremely sluggish – something you don’t want this season. Try this recipe instead!
  2. Green Leafy Vegetables: If you’re wondering why something considered healthy like green leafy vegetables are on this list, you’re in for a surprise! Although rich in dietary fiber, magnesium, zinc and iron, etc., green leafy vegetables are a breeding ground for bacteria that thrive in humid weather. These bacteria can cause various illnesses and diseases. If you must eat leafy vegetables, cleaning, seeping it in salt water, washing it and cooking it will ensure that it is good for eating.
  3. Seafood: This is more from the ecological perspective than causing illnesses. The rainy season marks the beginning of the breeding season for fishes. Hence, it is better to avoid them during this time of the year to ensure that their population remains stable.
  4. Street Food: Apart from causing discomfort to the stomach on any given day, street food such as the famed pani puri, dahi puri, sev and bhel puri need to be strictly avoided. This is because the water that is used may be contaminated with bacteria/bacterial spores that thrive during this season causing more stomach infections than usual! If you must eat chaat, try this healthy recipe for sev puri!
  5. Milk: Raw/ unpasteurized milk can be a home for E.Coli, a bacterium that causes many food borne illnesses. It is better to have it boiled to prevent any bacterial growth.

To ensure you’re at the best of your health, these are the top 5 foods you should avoid eating during monsoons! Was this article helpful? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Find more monsoon health tips here or speak to an expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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7 Foods To Avoid If You Have Asthma

Asthma

Asthma is an ancient Greek word which means “short drawn breath”. It can be quite troublesome as it causes chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Patients suffering from asthma have more trouble exhaling carbon dioxide than inhaling oxygen because the air passages of the small bronchi become clogged, making it difficult to breathe. Most asthma patients face more difficulty breathing during the night time. 

Modern medicine has not been able to find a cure for this troublesome respiratory disease. Drugs and vaccines help in reducing symptoms and provide temporary relief. Allergy is a major cause of asthma, but it can be managed with a  proper diet and lifestyle, such as eating foods which are easy to digest and adapting lifestyle methods such as yogic kriya – which helps in proper assimilation of food, strengthening of lungs, digestive and circulatory system. 

Which Foods Should You Avoid If You Have Asthma? 

While there are foods which can help you alleviate the symptoms of asthma, here are some which you must avoid at any cost. 

  1. Sugar: Sweet carbonated drinks, candies, cakes, biscuits, and all the foods which are rich in sugar increase coughing and wheezing in children. Sugar attacks the immune system of the airway, causing narrowing of airways and mucous production. Instead of sweets, include jaggery and coconut sugar.
  2. Junk Foods: Foods like burgers, pizza, red meats, fries, etc., which are loved by a large part of the population, worsens asthma symptoms. These foods make one overweight, and the lungs have to work harder, making it difficult to breathe. Include simple, homemade foods instead of junk foods
  3. Alcohol: Sulphites, one of the allergens present in many alcoholic beverages, worsen asthma symptoms. It increases wheezing and breathing difficulty. Include more natural beverages like lemon water and coconut water instead of beer and wine.
  4. Beans: Beans cause gas in our body, putting pressure on the diaphragm and increasing acid reflux. It is better to avoid beans and other foods like cabbage, onion and garlic which are gas forming.
  5. Tea and Coffee: Another allergen, Salicylates, is found in tea and coffee. Though it is rare, some asthmatic patients are allergic to salicylates and find difficulty in breathing. As an alternative, you can include herbal teas like chamomile tea and passionflower tea instead of regular tea and coffee.
  6. Shrimp: Shrimp contains sulphites, which is an allergen. Yes, SULPHITES again! It can worsen asthma symptoms.
  7. Salt: Salt is one of the worst foods for asthma. It can tighten the airways, cause inflammation, and fluid retention, making it a very serious lung complication. Include natural flavouring ingredients like cumin, turmeric and chilli flakes instead of salt. 

We hope this article helps you understand which foods to avoid if you have asthma. By making mindful dietary choices, you can better manage your asthma symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Do leave your thoughts in the comments below.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.

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6 Foods That Trigger Migraine

migraine

Migraine is a severe headache accompanied by nausea, dizziness and vomiting. Initially the pain may be very mild, but gradually builds up to a throbbing pain. You may experience pain in one area or the pain may shift and sometimes, affect the entire head. It varies from person to person. The pain can go on for hours or even days. 

What Triggers A Migraine? 

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact triggers for a Migraine. Medical science states that inflammation of the neurotransmitters causes migraine. Hormonal imbalance, stress, change in season, change in physical activity, etc. are all possible causes for this debilitating condition. However, certain foods have shown to play a major role in provoking the migraine. 

  1. Alcohol: High consumption of alcohol causes dehydration and this causes the brain to react in a different way. This could be a major trigger. Apart from other alcohols, red wine, which is considered to be good for health, can cause migraine.
  2. Chocolate: Although nitric oxide is very good for the heart and blood vessels, nitrates present in chocolates tend to cause migraine as dilation of blood vessels can activate this condition.
  3. Processed Food: Most fast food, chinese food, ready to cook meals, instant noodles, pasta, oats, chips and other fried snacking options have an active ingredient called monosodium glutamate (MSG) which is considered safe to eat, but is said to be linked with migraine.
  4. Fermented Food: contains histamine which may be a possible reason. Cheese, pickled vegetables and fruits, dry fruits, sauerkraut, kimchi and vinegar come under the umbrella of fermented food. The high salt content in most of these foods may act as a trigger.
  5. Citrus Fruits: like oranges, lemons, melons etc. are also known to trigger this condition. These citrus fruits may cause gas formation which may kickstart the migraine
  6. Leftover food: Stale food is said to be one of the reasons for igniting a migraine as the tyramine content increases  during the storage period, hence making one more vulnerable to this pain. If food is not stored at the right temperature, it can trigger the pain.

 We hope this article helps you! Stay away from these foods if you have a migraine condition. Do consult your doctor and stay safe! For more on nutrition, what to eat and what to avoid, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.

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Foods That Are Bad For Immunity According To Ayurveda

Bad For ImmunityWhile personal hygiene and social distancing measures are essential to stay safe, we can also turn to traditional Ayurvedic wisdom to raise immunity levels. As a holistic health system, Ayurveda has always regarded disease prevention as the key to maintaining health. Accordingly, a great amount of Ayurvedic literature focuses on diet, lifestyle, and home remedies to boost immunity. Since there’s already plenty of information on immunity boosting foods and remedies, we are going to put the spotlight on foods that are bad for immunity. 

8 Foods That Are Bad For Immunity 

  1. Fried Foods: We love our fried foods, from samosas to bhajias, but it’s time to make some sacrifices. Whether it’s farsan or burgers, all fried foods are loaded with fats, including trans fats. This is known to trigger inflammation, weakening immune function. So, although you might be eating home cooked meals during this time, try to skip the fried and deep fried foods. This will help to keep your immune function strong.
  2. Sodas and Colas: Even if we are not that addicted to sodas yet, now would be a good time to curb the habit. It really doesn’t matter if you only drink diet soda or carbonated drinks with ‘no added sugar’. They are all artificially sweetened and have no nutritional value whatsoever. Phosphoric acid, which is present in most sodas, depletes calcium and magnesium levels, both of which are vital for good immune function.
  3. Canned Soups: In our current state of lockdown, canned foods like canned soups may seem like the healthiest choice. Unfortunately, the convenience of such instant foods comes with a price. Most instant soups (and other instant foods for that matter) contain high amounts of sodium, corn flour, maltodextrin, and other artificial preservatives and flavoring agents. These ingredients are known to increase the risk of lifestyle diseases and infections because of impaired immune function.
  4. Sugary Snacks: Ayurveda has always recognized the risk posed by artificially sweetened foods. This ancient wisdom is now accepted as a scientific fact, as we know that high sugar intake triggers chronic inflammation and suppresses the immune function, making you more vulnerable to all types of infections – viral, bacterial and fungal. Ice cream, pastries, and chocolates may be your comfort foods but they are simply not a good way to survive social isolation.
  5. Red Meats: are to be strictly avoided according to Ayurveda to protect against infection. A sugar called Neu5Gc is found in red meats and unlike fruit sugars, this sugar is not digested by the body. Instead, it is absorbed into tissue and triggers inflammation and suppresses immunity. Additionally, red meats are also high in fats that we know are bad for immunity.
  6. Foods with MSG: MSG came into the spotlight some years ago when instant noodles were briefly off the shelves. Sadly, the ingredient hasn’t disappeared altogether and you’ll find it in a whole lot of processed and instant foods. Look at those food labels carefully. MSG is bad for your immunity as it causes oxidative stress to the thymus and spleen, which are vital for healthy immune function.
  7. Alcoholic Beverages: Although Ayurveda recognizes the medicinal value of natural alcohols, recreational consumption of alcoholic beverages is regarded as toxic to the body. Alcoholic beverages are known to have high sugar content, impair sleep, increase inflammation and damage the gastrointestinal lining. This severely impairs immunity and increases vulnerability to infections.
  8. Caffeinated Beverages: The need for harmonious living in accordance with the rhythms of nature is central to Ayurveda. Stimulants like caffeine can disturb this natural rhythm, especially when consumed later in the day. This is known to impair sleep, which is vital for strong immunity. Caffeinated drinks are also known to increase acidic levels in the body, which can increase inflammation and suppress immunity.

Reconnecting with our rich heritage of Ayurveda can help us through these tough times. Remember, Ayurveda is not about restriction but balance and harmony. So, in addition to eliminating these bad food choices, try using immunomodulatory herbs like tulsi, amla, and neem to boost immunity and stay safe from infections. 

We hope this article on foods that are bad for immunity helps you make a positive shift to a healthier lifestyle. For more on Healthy Living, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for personalized coaching here: https://goqiiapp.page.link/bsr

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