​5 foods to avoid during monsoon

High humidity and unsafe water can turn favorite foods risky in monsoon. Skip the usual suspects, choose safer swaps, and keep the gut happy without giving up on comfort.

Avoid raw spinach, lettuce, cabbage in rains; moisture harbors bacteria and parasites on leaves that are hard to wash off thoroughly. Opt for well‑cooked veggies or sturdy gourds instead.

Open-air prep, unsafe water, and reused oil raise contamination risk for pani puri, chaat, and roadside pakoras during monsoon. Choose home‑made snacks or trusted kitchens with hygiene controls.

Fish and prawns are prone to spoilage and contamination in breeding/monsoon months, increasing food‑poisoning risk. Prefer fresh, well‑sourced poultry/veg proteins; if eating seafood, ensure strict sourcing and full cooking.

Cut fruit and raw salads from vendors can be exposed to flies and unsafe rinsing water. Buy whole fruit, wash and peel at home; lean on steamed or sautéed salads.

High oil and spice loads strain digestion in humid weather, worsening acidity and bloating. Swap for steamed, grilled, or lightly sautéed meals with ginger, pepper, or ajwain for warmth.[