As per Ayurveda, methods
of choosing and eating foods,, quality and quantity are directly related to our
health, so we should be aware before eating…..
“Eat to 1/3 capacity
of the stomach, Drink 1/3 and leave1/3
for God”
Preparation: Eating
warm (cooked) foods enlivens the enzymes for easily and quickly digesting food,
promoting Apana Vayu, and removing Kapha. However, when food is overcooked,
its life force becomes depleted. Further, cooking with too much heavy oil can
weaken the digestive fire. Food is best eaten when cooked or steamed rather
than uncooked. Fruits are only advised to eat raw and fresh. Food processed in
Microwave or grilled food damage the life force. Restaurant food is generally
over – or under-spiced, and not as good as home-cooked meals. Cooking over a
wood fire is best. Cooking over the gas stove is better than cooking over an electric
stove.
Quality- Sattwic:
organic, fresh, homegrown, fresh-picked, and raw dairy food are advised. It is
not advisable to eat foods that are rotten, or overcooked,
burnt, unripe, or overripe, stale, or junk food. The harmful foods include artificial,
rancid, and prepared with additives, preservatives, or artificial colors.
Quantity – A
proper quantity of food is easily digested, promotes longevity without
afflicting the doshas, and helps Apana Vayu. Food when eaten should fill one–third
of the stomach size or capacity. Liquid when taken after a meal, also should fill
one–third the stomach size. The time to drink liquid at mealtime varies with
the individual. A heavy or obese people should drink before meals. Underweight
or thin people should drink liquid after meals, and people of normal weight
should drink with their meals. The remaining one-third space of the stomach
helps digestion. The stomach should not be kept empty, so eating at a regular
interval of four hours is advisable but excess eating and improper food must be
avoided. Better to eat when
hungry and after digestions of the first eaten meal otherwise the digestive
product of the previous meal mixed with new food, instantly aggravating all
doshas. If a person takes food before the digestion of a previous meal, the food
will not digest properly and then the undigested food is pushed along the GI
tract by normal peristalsis, imbalancing, and aggravating the doshas.
Combination of food- Combining vegetables with fruits or milk can cause digestive
problems. One needs to be very careful while eating or choosing food. The different combinations
may be harmful. It's not advisable to combine sour taste with milk (except amala).,
eat cold items after ghee, eat an equal amount of ghee and honey, or eat fish
products along with dairy products. Thease are all Virodhahara. It creates toxins
for the body. Mainly, it aggravates skin diseases.
Spices- Delicious
taste improves digestion, strength, sense, complexion, and a healthy weight.
The use of spices stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes. Over-salted
or undersalted or sour seasoning is to be avoided. Foods that are too tasty increases
rajas (aggravating the blood). Foods that are too bland causes tamas (suppressing
Agni).
The frame of Mind- A relaxed, calm mind promotes easy assimilation of food. This makes
the mind more sattvic. A nervous, anxious, angry, noisy, and rushed mind makes
the food harder to digest. A smoky environment is also harmful when eating. Silence is good, there
is no need to be too serious. A prayer of gratitude to the Creators and
suppliers before a meal or offering the food to benefit humanity and the
creation of beings is advised. Chew food properly to digest and absorb
nutrients.
Drinking-
(except lassi buttermilk, yogurt, and medicated herbal wine to stimulate
digestion ) is not recommended during the meal, but is all right afterward. Drinking
alcohol after meals causes hyperacidity unless it is medicated herbal wines for
Vayu and Kapha. Astringent or herbal tea is all right after a meal, but coffee
promotes indigestion, hyperacidity, or ulcers.
Desserts-
(especially cold) are heavy and sweet, and suppress the digestive fire, causing
fermentation and indigestion. They are better before the meal as sweet as the
first taste to be digested. Having raw foods and salads at the end of the meal
is better for digestion.
Stay healthy, stay safe...
