“When one’s food is pure, one’s being becomes pure” – Chandogya Upanishad
Our eating habits of today have largely been effected by the modern way of life. Eating in the right way has a great effect on one’s feelings, energy, mood and overall health. In this article, let us look at what ayurveda has to say about eating.
Great ideas that have changed the world were born out of observation. People who were great observers of the external world have contributed significantly in all the fields. In a similar manner, Ayurveda is the knowledge given to us by sages who observed the internal world. The perspective of Ayurveda on eating is an interesting one and is based on the observations of the internal body.
According to ayurveda, more than 90% of the diseases arise from the stomach and it suggests certain practices for proper digestion. Ayurveda classifies food into three types based on its qualities – Goodness(fruits and vegetables), passion(foods that are bitter, sour, salty, dry and pungent)and ignorance(meat, processed food). These foods also impact the state of mind. It advises to prefer foods of the quality of goodness. According to ayurveda, the digestive fire called agni is responsible for the process of digestion. The digestive fire is strong when the sun is at its peak. For this reason, it advises to eat like a prince in the morning, like a king in the noon and like a pauper in the evening. It strictly advises to not eat post sunset so that body can focus on healing rather than digesting food. Ayurveda also advises to eat at fixed times so that it becomes a habit and digestion is optimal. It advises a gap of 4 hours between meals and advises against snacking.
Ayurveda also advises against certain food combinations. Milk with other oily foods, fruits and other food items, uncooked and cooked food, milk and vegetables and acidic fruits with alkaline fruits. It advises strictly against consuming fruits, curd, radish and banana post sunset.
As ayurveda believes in the connection between the mind and the gut, it prescribes mindful eating and eating in a pleasant atmosphere. It also advises against overeating as it burdens the digestive system and leads to the build up of toxins. Ayurveda advises to drink warm water. It is beneficial if warm water is consumed upon waking up and quantity of water depends on thirst. It advises not to drink water after meals as water extinguishes the digestive fire(water can be consumed after 1hr of having meals).
Other eating habits prescribed by ayurved include – avoiding eating while standing, avoiding eating while doing other works, to wait for 5 minutes after eating and get up immediately , standing and drinking water, eating slowly and chewing properly. It advises to stop eating after a burp(is seen as a signal from body) and this can be used as a measurement of how much to eat. It advises the inclusion of all 6 tastes for eliminating unwanted cravings and better digestion. Eating processed foods affect the digestion and should be avoided. Ayurveda believes fasting as a highly beneficial habit and can be done occasionally. During fasting the body is detoxified. Following these habits will ensure longevity and quality of life.
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