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With a change in season, it is quite important for all of us to change our meal and snacking habits. It is important to eliminate common diet mistakes and wrong nutrition combinations to stay fit and fine.
Some common diet mistakes to avoid when the weather changes
Sneha Sanjay, Senior Executive Nutritionist, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, shares with Health Shots, a list of 7 diet mistakes that everyone should avoid!
1. Elimination of probiotic food
People say probiotic food, especially curd, must mostly be avoided with the changing season. But the fact is that it improves the good bacteria in the gut, and the immune function is strengthened. Fresh curd promises to provide daily dose of calcium, protein and trace nutrients.
2. Reduced hydration
Due to the dip in temperature, people tend to think one doesn’t feel like drinking even minimal amount of water or fluids.
In fact, better hydration helps to keep up energy levels, reduce winter dehydration, fight weight gain and also keeps the person less prone to infections or allergies.
3. Consuming uncooked or raw food
Eating uncooked food is an instant entry for pathogens into our body, and that can take a toll on our health. Cooking meals help kill harmful bacteria. Thus, eating uncooked and raw food causes bacterial and viral infections. Cooked food is much easier to breakdown and digest once we consume the food. It is also true that warm food is beneficial for gut health as it makes nutrients more bioavailable.
4. Indulging in deep fried or oily food
A hot and tempting plate of fried foods with a cup of tea or coffee is a perfect mouthwatering combination. But this can be a self-invite for gastro complications and acidity. These ‘comfort foods’ are diet mistakes which cause bloating and can lead to an upset stomach.
Instead, go for spicy bhel puri, steamed sprouts steamed peanut salad, khakra with hot and sour veggie topping, roasted corn cob with smear of butter etc.
5. Excluding citrus sources
There’s a myth that citrus foods cause cold and cough. Whereas, citrus fruits are a best source of vitamin C which is important for improving immunity as it fights infections, making it the need of the hour especially in winter. Owing to the sourness of these fruits, we tend to avoid them during changing seasons, thereby compromising on immunity.
Citrus fruits can also be consumed in the form of juices or various form of salads or as a fresh fruit always.
6. Overindulgence in street food:
As we all know, we crave for hot and fried snacks during this season. But this is one of those diet mistakes which causes digestion issues such as bloating, gas and sluggish digestion. Also, there is enough moisture in the air which is an ideal condition for bacterial and fungal growth, leading to food poisoning. Since hygiene is not really maintained by street vendors, it is safe to avoid street foods.
7. Ignoring seasonal produce:
Opt only for locally available and seasonal produce of fruits, vegetables and greens as they ensure to provide ample immune boosting abilities, are easy on digestion and possess antioxidant properties. These keep us away from skin infections, which we are more prone during changing seasons. Inclusion of seasonal foods also helps to keep the body clean by the process of detoxification.
