Rain + Khichdi = The perfect monsoon meal! Know why Khichdi is the definition of comfort

In India, you will find foods suited to every season. While summers call for light and cool food, winters call for hearty, warm and flavourful food. Similarly, monsoons also have many foods that are great for the season. Apart from rain and clean nature, the rainy season also brings along a number of pesky illnesses, making us even more conscious about our health and well-being. After all, no one wants to spend this season lying in bed and visiting a doctor! This is where monsoon-specific foods come in handy. Experts always recommend eating clean, homemade and nutritious food to boost your immunity against several illnesses during this season – and one such popular option is khichdi. Let us explain further.

What makes Khichdi a popular monsoon food?

Khichdi is undoubtedly the most comforting food in India. It is easy to make and has a simple blend of flavours, making it a perfect dish to prepare on a monsoon afternoon. Khichdi usually has a rich mix of lentils and rice, making it delicious and nutritious, and enriching you with essential nutrients. According to macrobiotic nutritionist and health coach Shilpa Arora, “Monsoon brings with it many stomach problems, and khichdi brings instant relief to our stomach. With the combination of rice, lentils, ghee tempering, it makes for a complete meal loaded with all the macronutrients. Moreover, it also helps balance all the three doshas – pitta, vata and kapha – aiding in healthy metabolism and digestion.” She further added that you can also add some seasonal vegetables to the recipe to enhance the goodness of khichdi, making it even healthier.
Also read: 7 Popular Khichdi Varieties Across India That You Must Try

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Here are 5 reasons why khichdi is good for digestion:

1. Rich in Fibre:

The lentils and rice used in khichdi are a storehouse of fibre. This helps regulate metabolism and aids in healthy bowel movements, preventing indigestion, bloating, constipation and other digestive problems.

2. Keeps you full for a longer time:

Khichdi is also rich in protein, which makes you feel satiated and full, preventing you from overeating before time. This can help prevent many types of foodborne illnesses.

3. Helps flush out toxins:

Traditionally, khichdi includes a tadka of ghee, which is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These ingredients help flush out toxins and promote healthy blood and oxygen flow in the body, preventing any kind of stress that may lead to digestive problems.

4. Produces Healthy Gut Bacteria:

Khichdi is usually eaten with pickles or yogurt – both of which are potent sources of probiotics. This means that the entire meal along with khichdi also helps build a healthy microbiome in your gut, thereby boosting digestion and immunity.

5. Prevents Viral Infections:

Turmeric and spices like asafoetida, cumin etc. used in Khichdi have antiseptic, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent viral and bacterial attacks and heal the digestive system.
Now that you have all the good reasons to include khichdi in your diet during the monsoon season, we recommend you try different variations of the recipe to make it even tastier. Click here for some of our favourite versions of khichdi.

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides general information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.