Food and Lifestyle! Who doesn’t love the rainy season?!
In this beautiful season, while we enjoy the scenic beauty of the outer world, it’s equally important to stay aware of the inner state of our body. During monsoon, due to the external environment, the body tends to retain more moisture or fluid.
This results in weakened digestive fire, reduced appetite and thirst, lowered strength, and imbalance in the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
In such a situation, it becomes very important to adapt our diet and lifestyle to balance these shifts. For this, Ayurveda’s concept of Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) serves as a perfect guide.
So let’s understand the ideal monsoon food and lifestyle within the framework of Ayurvedic wisdom.
When digestive power is low, one must be cautious about the quantity of food. Only eat as much as can be properly digested. Avoid eating or drinking anything between meals, as it can help prevent indigestion, bloating, diarrhea, headaches, and other issues. In general, warm food is always better for health. Nutrients are best absorbed from freshly prepared, warm, and well-cooked meals.
However, in today’s busy lifestyle, many people find it impractical to prepare hot meals three times a day. A simple solution for this is to drink small sips of warm water during the meal, even if the food has cooled down.
According to Ayurveda, boiled warm water enhances digestion by stimulating Agni (digestive fire) and helps with proper elimination of waste. Therefore, it’s best to consume boiled water along with meals. Ayurveda says that drinking water either before or right after meals is not ideal; sipping a little water with food is a healthy habit.
Fridge Food
Avoid eating refrigerated or long-stored food, especially food stored for weeks in the fridge. It negatively affects both body and mind. This is particularly important during the monsoon. Also, reheating the same food multiple times, or heating it in a microwave repeatedly, is not advisable. Such food lacks nutrition and accelerates aging. It also weakens immunity and leads to frequent illness. The farther we stay from stale food, the closer we stay to good health.
What tastes or food types are especially suitable during monsoon?
You might know the six tastes (Shadrasa) in Ayurveda:
- Madhura (Sweet)
- Amla (Sour)
- Lavana (Salty)
- Katu (Pungent/Spicy)
- Tikta (Bitter)
- Kashaya (Astringent)
Ayurveda emphasizes a balanced meal containing all six tastes. Regular consumption of meals dominated by only one taste is considered unhealthy and leads to loss of strength.
During the monsoon, it is particularly beneficial to consume warm, slightly oily, mildly spicy and salty foods with a dominant sour taste. Examples include tamarind rasam spiced with cumin, pepper, asafoetida, and mustard; lemon rasam, gooseberry rasam, dry ginger rasam, kokum/amsool rasam, pomegranate rasam, etc.
Have you tried turmeric ghee?
Buttermilk-based dishes like kadhi, majjige huli (a sour curry), and paladya (a lightly spiced curry) are especially beneficial. However, ensure you use properly diluted buttermilk—not curd . Curd should never be heated or consumed with hot food. Buttermilk, on the other hand, is always favorable when used appropriately.
Use aged rice, aged wheat/barley, wheat-based rotis, or phulkas. Freshly harvested rice is harder to digest and may contribute to conditions like diabetes. Lentils and legumes like horse gram, toor dal, green gram, and ragi are great options. Use more ginger, pepper, garlic, mustard, and turmeric in your cooking.
Vegetables that were dried and preserved during summer, like sun-dried gourds, salted green chilies, and dried leafy vegetables, can be used. Favor vegetables like ridge gourd, snake gourd, ash gourd, bottle gourd, Malabar cucumber, radish, carrots, onions, and garlic.
However, avoid too many raw salads or sprouts during this season.Why? Because fresh leafy vegetables and raw food grown in moist soil during the monsoon can carry parasites and become sour during digestion. Raw vegetables and sprouts lack lubricants and hence they have the tendency to dry up the internal lining of the gut and joints. Hence, they should be avoided or consumed minimally after cooking. Did you know? Ayurveda considers raw sprouts and uncooked vegetables as unhealthy for daily consumption
Non-vegetarians can consume light meats such as poultry or small animals—preferably as boiled broths, soups, grilled, or dried and then cooked. Avoid fried meat.
Pickles, happala (poppadoms), and sun-dried salted vegetables can be consumed in moderation. Among fruits, dry grapes (raisins), pomegranate, wild gooseberries, and dates are favorable.
Now, a special note on curd: Ayurveda forbids curd at night. However, during the day, non-sour curd can be taken in small quantities with honey, lentil soup, sugar, or gooseberry powder. Never mix curd with milk, and never eat it with hot food. Curd is totally contra-indicated in summers and autumns . However one can enjoy curd in moderation in the afternoons during monsoons.
Now about water during the monsoon—what kind should you drink? The ideal beverage to accompany solid food is well-boiled water. You can also boil it with a little dry ginger powder or cumin. But remember: drink water only when you’re thirsty. Drinking water frequently without thirst during the monsoon can invite various diseases. Due to increased fluid retention in the body during this season, using honey is highly beneficial. But only in moderate quantities. You can mix pure honey into cooled boiled water and drink it—never with hot food or hot water or in hot weather!
All the above beverages improve digestion and help balance the body’s moisture levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Warm, freshly prepared food that’s slightly sour, salty, and easy to digest is best. Avoid raw salads and leftovers.
Warm water boosts digestion, helps balance body fluids, and supports immunity, especially when digestive power is low.
No. Ayurveda discourages consuming stored, refrigerated, or repeatedly reheated food, as it weakens the body and immunity.
You can consume curd in the afternoon in moderation or use diluted buttermilk instead. Never eat curd at night or mix it with hot foods.
Drink boiled water with cumin or dry ginger. You can also add a little pure honey to cooled boiled water, but never mix honey with hot foods or drinks.
Conclusion for Food and Lifestyle
In summary, during monsoon, consume:
- Fresh, warm food with good fats
- Moderate quantity
- Easily digestible items
A final tip: On days of heavy rain, prefer warm, sour-salty foods that are lightly spiced and slightly oily—they’re best for your body and spirit during this season.
Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Sadhanashree P. BAMS, MD(Ayu)
Dr. Sadhanashree P., M.D. (Ayurveda), is a passionate Ayurvedic physician with expertise in Panchakarma and holistic wellness. As the founder of Arogyavardhini Ayurveda, she blends ancient Ayurvedic practices with modern lifestyle solutions. Dr. Sadhanashree is committed to spreading Ayurveda’s benefits through consultations, workshops, and rural health camps, empowering individuals and communities to achieve optimal health.
About Arogyavardhini Ayurveda
Arogyavardhini Ayurveda is dedicated to promoting holistic health through Ayurveda and Yoga. Led by Dr. Sadhanashree, the clinic offers personalized consultations, Panchakarma therapies, wellness retreats, and community outreach programs, including rural health camps and corporate wellness initiatives.
Book an appointment with Dr. Sadhanashree P
Disclaimer
The information provided on this blog is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or treatment plan. This site may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Arogyavardhini Ayurveda is not responsible for any adverse outcomes resulting from the application of information found here.