How was your Diwali? We hope it was filled with love, joy, and light! The day of Diwali is always a party...but the day after? More like a hangover. 🙈 The air pollution always gets bad this time of the year, but there are some good old desi food items that can help you stay healthy.
If you already have burning eyes, scratchy throat, or headaches, these desi food items will help. And even if you’re not immediately feeling the effects, you must consume these desi foods to protect your health because air pollution can harm almost every organ in your body and increase the risk of diseases like asthma, heart attacks, and cancer. Eat these 5 desi food items regularly to build your immunity and fight the effects of air pollution:
1. Gud is Good
Gud or jaggery is the most popular desi food item to fight pollution that everyone knows about. And it’s definitely earned its popularity. Along with being enriched with several micronutrients, jaggery is a natural cleansing agent that can flush out harmful toxins from your body. Plus, it has anti-allergic properties that help with sneezing and coughing from the pollution.
You can consume jaggery with your food or eat a small piece on its own. Or, you can enjoy this desi food item in a sweet and tangy Imli Pop candy, with the goodness of tamarind, jaggery, and other healthy Indian spices. This way, you can enjoy the health benefits of tamarind as well as jaggery. Two birds, one stone.
2. Be Healthy With Haldi
If you’re not already consuming this desi food item every day, you must! Haldi or turmeric has powerful anti-allergic, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties that fight the negative effects of air pollution and keep your respiratory system healthy. Plus, it has immunomodulation properties that improve your immune system’s response to environmental factors. Basically, haldi packs a bomb of good health effects. Mix it with milk or water to regularly have this desi food.
3. Amazing Amla
Amla or Indian gooseberry is a desi food item that really packs a punch! One of the many health effects of amla is that it’s extremely rich in Vitamin C. In fact, it has 20 times more Vitamin C than any other citrus fruit! This is why amla is amazing for boosting your immunity, especially against cough and cold. It’s also rich in antioxidants, which help fight the toxins present in air pollution. You can eat this yummy fruit raw or as delicious amla candy, the kind you would find in your grandma’s kitchen!
4. Spicy Ginger Tea
Ginger is a masala chai essential. But did you know that this desi food item on its own makes a wonderful tea full of health benefits? Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, opens up your airways, and soothes a scratchy throat. If you’re feeling nauseous because of smoke, this desi food item will really help. Consume it as a tea or drink a special ayurvedic ginger kashaya made with ginger, spices, and healthy herbs.
5. Go Nuts on Nuts
Make use of all the dry fruits you’re gifted on Diwali! Go nuts on nuts. Nuts like almonds and walnuts are desi food items that give a big boost to your health. They contain Omega-3 fatty acids and helps protect you against the damage caused to your heart health by air pollution. Just have a handful every day and you’re all set.
Now you know what desi food items to eat to stay safe this smog season. Remember, even if you can’t immediately feel the effects of air pollution on your health, it’s hidden poison you must protect yourself against. Keep eating these yummy desi foods to take care of yourself!
If you want to know more about amazing desi foods, desi recipes, happy news and other good things, join the DESi Adda Facebook group. It’s full of like-minded people like you who want to stay positive and share the love of food. Join the group now.
