“These wontons are calling me by my full government name,” my work bestie declared on a particularly rainy July afternoon—just as I found myself eyeing a picture of crunchy wontons, debating whether to cheat on my diet midweek. Unsurprisingly, we gave in, ordered the wontons, and feasted. That moment got me thinking: why is it that every time the temperature drops, the sky turns grey, and rain starts pouring, our taste buds seem to take over and steer us straight into the land of hot, spicy, and crispy snacks?
“People crave warm, crunchy, and fried foods during monsoons due to the damp weather. It lowers our serotonin levels, triggering comfort food cravings. The body seeks warmth and energy, making hot and crispy snacks more comforting, appealing, and tantalising to the taste buds,” explains Dr Manjusha Agarwal, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai.
We dove into the phenomenon of monsoon food cravings to see why this happens, what the weather connection is and what foods you should actually eat during the season.
As a rule of thumb, the moment the rain gods show up, the smell of hot oil and pakodas begins to waft through our homes. There are certain foods we instinctively associate with the monsoon—grilled corn, pakodas, chai, samosas, you name it. Anything spicy, crispy, and fried seems to dominate our minds until the craving is satisfied. And it’s not just nostalgia at play; it’s backed by science.
Dr Agarwal explains that cooler temperatures and high humidity can dull our sense of taste and smell, leading us to crave stronger flavours—spicy, salty, and fried. “Hence, one can end up eating samosas, bhajiyas, namkeens, spicy chaat, or French fries. The body also demands more energy to stay warm, which increases one’s appetite, and the diet can go haywire during the monsoon,” she adds.
But just because that crispy golden samosa is calling doesn’t mean indulging every other day is a good idea. The monsoon season can be tricky, often compromising digestion. “The rainy season affects the digestive system due to increased humidity and water-borne issues such as bacterial infections. Immunity tends to be lower, making us more susceptible to colds, coughs, and fevers,” says health nutritionist and dietician Kinit Hajare.
“Digestion tends to be impacted during the monsoon because of reduced physical activity and the toll that humidity takes on the gut. That’s why it’s essential to avoid heavy, oily, or raw foods and opt for light, warm, and easily digestible meals,” adds Dr Agarwal.
No one’s saying you can’t give in to that plate of hot wontons or aloo pakodas once in a while—but it’s just as essential to care for your immune system and make mindful food choices. Both Hajare and Dr Agarwal recommend key dietary dos and don’ts for the season:
You can still satisfy your cravings once in a while, but if you want to be extra careful, consider giving your favourite snacks a healthy twist. “Deep-fried foods are craved, but they’re heavy to digest and can cause bloating, constipation, dysentery, diarrhoea, and stomach infections. You can make a healthier choice by using the same ingredients but changing the cooking method—opt for steaming, boiling, baking, or shallow frying instead of deep frying,” Hajare recommends. And moderation is the keyword. Everything in moderation is what always works for the body. Alternatively, you can even opt for healthier snacks like khakra and roasted makhana to help with that crunchy craving.
While giving in to your monsoon food cravings once in a while is part of the season’s charm, because let’s face it, few things hit like a hot samosa or crisp fries when it’s pouring outside, it’s also worth striking a balance. Mindful eating doesn’t have to mean saying no; it could simply mean opting for baked over fried, or swapping ingredients for healthier alternatives. This way, you can still savour all the spicy, crunchy goodness of the season without feeling like you’ve gone completely off track. After all, the monsoon food vibe is about comfort, not compromise.
