Keep off cut fruits to stay healthy this summer

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 25

The number of patients visiting the OPDs of the hospitals complaining of stomach infections has increased over the past few days. With temperatures soaring, doctors suggest keeping off spicy food and avoid taking cut fruits and un-hygienically prepared juices.

Cut fruits that are exposed to heat and dust are known to cause severe stomach disorders and even life-threatening diseases such as cholera, food poisoning, diarhroea, typhoid, jaundice, hepatitis and gastro-enteritis.

“Summer is the time when one easily contracts stomach infections. Eating spicy and non-vegetarian heavy foods should be avoided. In addition to this, too many sauces should not be used for seasoning as they are high on calories and leave you feeling bloated and sluggish as some sauces also have too much Monosodium Glutamate and salt. Instead one should keep the meals nutritious and natural,” says city-based diet and nutrition expert Richa Goel.

Dr Girish Arora, a city-based gastroenterologist, suggests, “Cut fruits that keep lying under the sun and are exposed to flies and dust lead of many stomach infections. One must avoid cut fruits and sugarcane juice from street vendors because it easily gets contaminated due to houseflies.”

He adds that intake of too much tea and coffee should also be curtailed. “These beverages increase heat in the body and should be avoided. Too much caffeine and with sugar can actually dehydrate your body,” he adds.

“Patients complaining of stomach infections have started coming and I have about 7-8 patients coming every day. One should be very careful while eating fruits and drinking water. “Overripe fruits should be avoided and water should be boiled before drinking. Fruits are thirst quenching drinks and are ideal during summer but these can prove harmful if these are kept under unhygienic conditions. Cut fruits being sold on the roadside in the city are an open invitation to ailments, especially those related to stomach and should be avoided,” added another city-based physician Dr Gurmeet Singh.

Tips for healthy summer

Intake of more fluid is recommended during the summer season as hydration level dips. Eating spicy, fried and junk food must be avoided. Consuming light food and greens is good for health but fruits and juices should be prepared in clean and hygienic environment and should be properly covered. Instead of opting for juices and drinks prepared under unhygienic conditions, one should opt for home-made nimbu paani, laasi, aam pana and fresh fruit juices prepared at home.

Foods to avoid during summers

• Too much spicy food
• Non-vegetarian food
• Oily junk food
• Too much tea    and coffee
• Too many sauces