Green Leafy Vegetables? A Big NO During Monsoons

Packed with a lot of nutrients, antioxidants these green leafy vegetables are one of the healthiest addition you can make to the diet. So what is it about the season that makes them avoidable, let’s find out?

A balanced diet includes all the nutrients along with green leafy vegetables. However, it is during the monsoon season that doctors often discourage the consumption of leafy vegetables, since they are not as healthy and can be a cause of many diseases during this season. Here are some of the reasons why they are not healthy:

1. Insects And Bacteria
   Green leafy vegetables are the best breeding grounds for many tiny insects, bacteria, and microorganisms, who contaminate these vegetables and hence, become a source of diseases to whoever consumes them.
2. Not So Clean
   During monsoons, these vegetables are not washed properly due to which some amount of dirt remains on it, carrying the chances of infection in the stomach. Therefore, if you cannot avoid them consume them only after thoroughly washing and cooking properly.
3. Grow In Swamp
   Most of the green vegetables grow in swamp or marshy areas in rainy water, where bacteria grow in them. Their consumption can lead to problems like diarrhoea, vomiting, etc.
4. No Sunlight
   In other seasons, the sun acts as a disinfectant, making the vegetables safe for consumption. But in monsoons due to lack of sun exposure, insects in vegetables remain there and the infection begins to grow. People may face health issues such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhoea, etc.
5. Metabolism Gets Affected
   Our metabolism is weak during this season and special care is required. Thus one must avoid the intake of oily, spicy, undercooked, and leafy vegetables. This increases the risk of indigestion, vomiting, etc.
6. Increases Pitta In The Body

According to the Ayurveda, Vata and pitta dosha increase in the body during monsoon. Sour things like tomatoes, tamarind, pickles, and green vegetables make Pitta and consumption of milk products increase Vata dosha in the body, and thus, they must be avoided. Also, eating fried and spicy food causes indigestion and other digestive problems.

Therefore, our body is a little weak during the monsoon season, keeping an eye on what to eat and what not to is very important. Rains sure bring an urge to eat hot, crispy, and deep-fried fritters (pakodas), but one should keep in mind the digestive problems that may come along. Some foods are heavy to digest and should be avoided during this season. Green vegetables should not be consumed at all, however, if you cannot stay without them, make sure to wash and cook them properly and do not consume them in the raw form.