By Ms. Sheela Seharawat
Ayurveda is possibly the oldest system of traditional wellbeing known to mankind. It is based on the principle of ‘science of life’ promoting good health and longevity. A diet based on Ayurvedic principals is designed to completely balance the body in all aspects – physically, as well as mentally and emotionally.
As far as Ayurvedic Diet is concerned, it is not that simple as it looks. Perhaps it involves a whole lot of system and components from science to the composition of food, to anatomy, pathology, physiology, healing system and as well various means of diagnostic and healing systems for any specific healthy condition/s. In Ayurvedic concept, it is believed that every person is different, and so is his constitution and dietary needs. Importance is given to nutrition in every food that we consume along with the human body’s specific needs of nutrition.
A vegetarian diet is always given preference over non vegetarian diet. Ayurveda strictly discourages the use of animal flesh in our diet as also the consumption of coffee and alcohol. Ayurveda suggests that an individual’s diet should contain rich amounts of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and foods rich in fibre as these will provide energy and help the individual maintain good health.
A good meal as suggested by Ayurveda would also include colours, aromas, flavours, tastes, textures etc. and that would soothe all our sense organs apart from providing our body with all the needed nutrients.
Let’s understand in details that how Ayurvedic Diet’s work:
It Says – Eat Only When You Are Hungry
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As per ancient Ayurvedic believes, you feel hungry only when your previous meal or food has been completely digested. At times it so happens that we feel hungry even after some time of consuming food. It is not real hunger. It might be food cravings or result of less water intake and even dehydration. Ayurveda teaches us to identify what real hunger is and re-discover how it feels to be really hungry.
It Teaches Us To Eat The Right Quantity Of Food
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It guides us to a point where we should be aware of the point when we are full and satisfied. We humans have all different needs and different stomach sizes and hence our individual eating capacities are different and we need to understand that capacity.
It Emphasizes On Eating Quality Food
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Ayurvedic diets emphasizes on eating fresh and juicy meals and avoid much of oily and heavy foods. It aids in proper digestion and also allows the body to absorb all essential nutrients from the food that we eat. It also tells us to avoid foods that are very dry.
It Tells Us To Eat In A Calm And Comfortable Surrounding
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The methodology is simple – eat in a place that have the least disturbance, so that you can concentrate what you eat and eat properly. Chew and gulp properly and slowly. It is strictly against any sort of disturbance like mobiles, books, laptops, etc. In the absence of water, the mobility in the intestines slows down and causes constipation. Eating foods rich in fibre and drinking ample water are the only respite,
It Allows Us To Eat Only Warm And Fresh Meals
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Much importance is given in Ayurveda to eat fresh and freshly cooked foods. If in case you have to eat from the fridge, ensure that the food is properly heated up. It is all because eating fresh and warm effects the digestive powers. The digestive enzymes in our digestive tract gets help in better working.
Be Mentally And Physically Present With Your Food
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The purpose behind it is to make sure that you are using all your 5 senses while you eat. You smell the food, appreciate its texture, see at the plate, eat it by chewing it nicely and enjoy the beauty of eating while you make all the sound that we all do while eating.
Ayurveda is an ancient 5000 year old wisdom that treats each individual as a unique body and offers unique diet, herbs, and other remedies for that particular individual. It provides a manual living guide for a healthy life and is intended for preventing illnesses like heart disease, hypertension and arthritis.
Ayurveda considers an overweight or an underweight person as one who is more prone on catching diseases. To prevent such a thing, it recommends a unique Ayurveda diet suitable to the individual’s psycho-physiological body type.
DISCLAIMER: While we have taken steps to check the accuracy of information & practices shared here; it is not a replacement for a doctor’s opinion. it is important to first always check with your own doctor before trying any medication, practice or suggestion from this site.
