Understanding Ayurveda of healthy food

Introduction

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine native to India. It is very important to regulate diet and is the key factor of Ayurveda. As we all know what we eat shows up to your body or affects the body. Food is directly related to physical and mental states.

As per Ayurveda

Food and lifestyle are two important factors that decide a person’s health both mental and physical. Most of the diseases are the result of improper food. To spend a good healthy life only regular Yoga or exercise with the right amount of food at the right time with the right portion size is enough.

Charaka Samhita a well known Indian Traditional medicinal book of Ayurveda describes the eight principles of eating rules or Ahara vidhi that are as follows

Eight Principles of eating rules

1. Prakriti or Nature

This is known as the nature of food articles which we are consuming. Some foods generate heat in our body while some soothe the body by lowering the temperature. Therefore it very important to eat food as per the nature of the body as well the type of food.

2. Karana or Preparation

The preparation of food in a proper way before consuming is known as Karana in Ayurveda. Overcooking and undercooking both are not beneficial for the body. Proper preparation of food is important in order to extract maximum benefits out of it.

3. Samyoga or Combination

Samyoga or the combination of two or more than two food items that we are eating. Food has a different chemical composition, different natures like some are acidic and some are basic in nature. Therefore the combination of two different foods in a proper way is very important for both taste and health benefits.

4. Rashi or Quality

Rashi in Ayurveda is described as the quality of the food which we are consuming.

5. Desha or Climate/ Habitat

Habitat and climate also affect food digestion. Every season has a specific temperature. Eating foods according to temperature helps in proper digestion and thus we get maximum benefits out of it.  Like in winter season our capacity of digesting foods get an increase, therefore, heavy foods are good to eat. Vice versa takes place in summer, therefore, we should take light food to remain active and healthy. Salty, sour, pungent food should avoid during summer.

6. Kala or Time

The time factor for consuming food is also important. It is advisable to eat dinner before

7. Upayoga samstha / Rules

Rules of use

8. Upayukta/ User

The user who is eating the food.

Points to consider before consuming foods

1. Digestion and metabolism power of the body

Every individual has specific digestion and metabolism power hence the food is to be taken according to that. The stomach is divided into three portions, two for solid and liquid and the third for digestive juice, air

2. Drinking water in small quantity but frequently

Water should not be taken in excess immediately after consuming food it results in obesity. A small quantity of water should be taken during the process of eating as it results in proper absorption and digestion of food.

3. Proper quantity of food intake

To maintain the equilibrium of the body we should always take the proper quality of food. As it promotes a healthy life span and does not disturb the Tridosha (Vata, Kapha, and pitta) of the body and digested properly.

What does Tridosha mean?

Ayurvedic model of treatment emphasis the Tridosha Tawa. Tridosha Tatwa is a Sanskrit word that means

Tri – Three

Dosha – Pollutants

Tatwa – Theory

Our body is based on the equilibrium of these three pollutant theory of Tridosha Tatwa. This dosa remains in harmony with each other in a healthy body. The imbalance or disturbance of this equilibrium causes illness or diseases. Three types of Dosha are as follows

1. Vata Dosha

Vata or Vayu means wind and this dosha is the main Dosha of the body. A person having Vata dosha feels depressed, sad, pain over the entire body, thirst, roughness of skin, coolness, lightness, and constant motion. It controls the body’s blood flow and wastes elimination and breath.

2. Pitta Dosha

As Pitta means Heat in English. This dosha is mainly related to the digestion and metabolism of the body. Other signs of pitta dosha are burning sensation, warmth and running secretion in the body, assumption of reddish coloration. 

3. Kapha dosha

This dosha related to the sense of coldness, oiliness, feeling of sweet taste, heaviness, and white coloration.

Different types of food for Tridosha

1. Types of food for Vata Dosha

People who have Vata dosha feel dryness, roughness, coldness, and constant motion.

Following foods, we should have in Vata Dosha like nuts, hot food, rice, carrots, leafy vegetables, zucchini, ghee, and butter. Foods we should avoid are aubergine, bell pepper, tomato and potato, chocolates, barley, beans, oats, and sprouts.

Dried and frozen fruits should be avoided in Vata dosha as this dosha is related to dryness. Spices and nuts are good for healing Vata Dosha.

2. Types of food for Pitta Dosha

Pitta dosha is related to digestion or acidity. Therefore mostly sour fruits should be avoided and sweet fruits should be eaten. In vegetables, sweet and bitter is favorable and pungent vegetables should be avoided. Yogurt, all types of pickles, and maximum nuts should be avoided. Spices are also not good for pitta dosha.

3. Types of food for Kapha dosha

Kapha dosha diet is generally vice versa of the pitta dosha diet. A person having Kapha dosha should avoid sour and sweet fruits and eat astringent fruits like apples, berries, cherries, lemons, and grapes. In vegetable, pungent and bitter vegetables are good while sweet and juicy vegetables should be avoided like cucumber, potato, and zucchini. All kind of grains is good for the body except oats and wheat. In legumes, soy legumes and kidney beans should be avoided whereas lentils and mung are good. Cheese and cow milk are bad for Kapha Dosha. Nuts are not good for Kapha Dosha. All types of spices are good except salt.