Ayurveda Eating Habits
Eating Habits according to Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Guidelines for Food
Ever wondered why your grandmother insisted on chewing your food slowly or why your favorite spices were considered not just flavor enhancers but potent healers? Well, according to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian wisdom of wellness – these are lifelong practices that not only help with digestion but have benefits that modern day science keeps discovering! A few examples like turmeric or ashwagandha or the moringa leaves.
Ayurveda always promotes living life in a minimalistic manner, where nature is given a lot of importance as our bodies function based on environmental changes, time, biological clock, and food must be consumed keeping all these factors in mind. We will be discussing the guidelines one must follow to lead a healthy and balanced lifestyle which is in unison with the environment. Eating shouldn’t be a complex exercise in math or a discouraging idea and in fact a natural and appealing endeavor.
- The ayurvedic way of life includes consuming food between a certain time frame and it correlates with the sun as well. When the sun rises the rays are not as aggressive, this resonates with our digestive fire (Agni) which is not at its peak therefore a light breakfast is recommended.
- Having warm cooked apples or porridge can be an excellent source of nutrition for the body.
- It is recommended that before 10 am one must be done with all the necessary morning chores along with breakfast.
- This helps in having a balanced dosha, which stabilizes the complete day moving forward. One should follow a healthy regime, keeping eating habits in mind in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Acharya Charak’s Ahara Vidhi Vidhan
Guidelines for food
Balacing the multitude of day to day activities and having to stay healthy has become a balancing act that a few of us are able to cope with. How often we wish could there be some common sense simple guide that would help us make good food decisions and actually have long term health benefits than a passing adventure in fad diets? Ayurveda is exactly that science that offers us those guidelines. You may follow all or even just one! It’s still a good start!
Here are a few suggestions.
Ushnamashniyat (Warm Food should be consumed)
Consuming warm food is advised and recommended for better digestion. Consuming warm food does not appease the Digestive fire (Agni). Food will always be digested at Body temperature, if we consume cold food the body will end up using more energy in the process. Warm food also helps in calming the Vata and Kapha dosha.
Ishtadeshe ishtasarvopkarnam chashniya
Ever thought that the place where we eat matters in keeping us healthy? Well yes, the environment in which a meal is consumed plays a crucial role in determining the effect it has on the body. Along with that, the utensil in which the food is cooked and consumed also influences the food. Copper utensils were used in the ancient era. It has been showcased as a symbol of purity.
Atmanamabhisamikshya bhunjeet Samyak (Personalized Eating)
The Doshas of an individual play an important role in identifying the type of food the person must have and also the age criteria the individual falls into, an adult will have a different requirement compared to an older person or kid.Every individual is unique in terms of their dietary incompatibilities and therefore needs a personalized approach in nutrition that considers the persons Doshas and Prakriti into account.
Matravatashniyat (Nutritional Balanced Diet)
Did you know consuming a balanced diet helps in keeping our Doshas neutralized, it does not spike the doshas which in turn cause our body hinderance. Ayurveda mentions that all the necessary Macro and Micronutrients must be completed which is classified as sarvagraha and parigraha.
Naatidrutamashniyat (Food consumed at a Fast Pace)
These days everyone is under pressure due to the “hustle bustle” of life. Although, it is clearly mentioned in Ayurveda that food must not be consumed at a very fast rate as it may not get easily digested. This also correlates to the brain as it takes time to process the presence of food that needs to be digested. Eating at a normal place facilitates the appropriate mixture of juices which help in digestion.
Snigdhamashniyat (Presence of Fat in Diet)
On contrary belief, ayurveda believes in having healthy fat as a component in the diet. Fat plays a vital role in absorption of Vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Fat also helps in increasing the Dietary Fire (Agni) which in turn helps in digestion. Ghrita and Tel (Oil) is pitta shamaka and they help in balancing the Tridoshas.
Ajalpanahasan tanmanabhunjeet (Eating with Bliss)
Eating is a process which must be done with concentration and peace, a mind with scattered thoughts be it extremely positive like laughing or negative like worrying or sobbing will not have the same impact on the body. Eating while on the move is not advised as it will cause indigestion and cause the individual to experience fatigue as the food won’t affect the body as it should.
Ritucharya (The Seasonal Dietary regimen)
With changing seasons our body also responds to the external changes. Using the below guidelines you may make a few adjustments to the food that would be more suitable to the body in that season.
Here are a few suggestions.
Hemanta Ritu (Winter)
Dietary regime
One should avoid cold and too sweet/sour foods. Pulses and grains like rice, wheat, corn. Soaked Almonds, Chia seeds and flax seed are preferred. Sweet potato, carrot, Potato Cauliflower, Garlic, cabbage are ideal. Cold vegetables like lettuce, tomato, zucchini, and mushroom are to be avoided.
Lifestyle to be followed
Consuming lukewarm warm water and taking sun bath is suggested. Abhayanga with warm oil followed by a hot shower is recommended.
Vasant Ritu (Spring)
Dietary regime
A Vasant Ritu diet that supports gut health can include barley and honey, complemented by gently stimulating spices like coriander, cumin, turmeric, and fennel. Sweet and Heavy foods must be avoided as they increase Kapha dosha accumulation in the body. Barley is considered a good grain during this season.
Lifestyle to be followed
It is recommended to do Abhyanga and Swedana along with keeping the Nasaya as Vasanta is a season of allergy domination and it’s important to clean out your respiratory system, including your nasal passages.
Grishma Ritu (Summer)
Dietary regime
Incorporate easily digestible foods with Madhura (sweet), Sheetal (Cool) and Drava (fluid) qualities into one’s diet, including rice and lentils. Ensure you are hydrated with refreshing buttermilk and fruit juices. Vegetables like zucchini, peas, cucumber are to be preferred. Melons, coconut, plums and peaches are some fruits that can be relished in this sunny season.
Lifestyle to be followed
Alcohol consumption should be avoided and replenishing with fluids is important to avoid getting dehydrated. Refrain from over exertion and exercise in this season.
Varsha Ritu (Monsoon/Fall)
Dietary regime
Vegetables like bottle gourd, snake gourd, ladyfinger are preferred. Wheat, jowar and rice are the recommended grains. Dates, Mulberry are ideal fruits. Onion, ginger and garlic promote digestion.
Lifestyle to be followed
Meat is to be avoided in the season. Consumption of warm beverages is preferred. Varsha Ritu also is a peak time for all the bacteria to breed and immunity must be shielded.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ayurvedic eating emphasizes a holistic approach to nutrition, considering not only the types of foods to be consumed but also their qualities and effects on the individual’s constitution. This ancient practice encourages a diverse and well-rounded diet, tailored to individual needs, fostering overall well-being and vitality. As we embrace the wisdom of Ayurveda in our dietary choices, we embark on a journey towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle that aligns with the natural rhythms of our bodies and the world around us.
Remember, it’s not just about what you eat; it’s about how you eat it. So, the next time you sit down for a meal, think of it as a rendezvous with ancient wisdom, a chance to nourish not just your body but your soul.
“A healthy outside starts from the inside.”
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Understanding food and the way it may affect your health is the easiest first step towards a healthy lifestyle. Ayurveda will help you make these small adjustments to your food habits and help keep you healthy.
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