Ayurveda

Nutrition and Health by Renu Gulati   (Renu Gulati is the Ganga Prem Hospice Ayurvedic Practitioner)

Renu Gulati

Ayurveda literally translates as ‘knowledge of life’. It originates from the ancient traditions of India and is over 5000 years old. It is an holistic system of health and well-being based on the inter- relationship of mind body and spirit.

Ayurveda provides a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and is of the view that good physical, psychological and emotional health is not possible in the absence of a diet suited to your constitution. In Ayurveda, there is no standard diet for all. To understand your individual nutritional requirements, it is advisable to consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner. However, all can follow the simple guidelines on healthy eating habits given below

Healthy Eating Habits
1. Always respect your food. Begin each meal by giving thanks to it.
2. Choose the foods according to your constitution.
3. Choose seasonal, local foods as much as possible.
4. Eat only when hungry so that you have the digestive capacity to process the food
5. Eat in a settled atmosphere as ambience is emotional diet
6. Avoid drinking with a meal as the digestive juices become diluted. If necessary you can sip on a little warm water. Never drink iced drinks with a meal as these dampen the digestive fire.
7. When eating, eat. That is, don’t read, watch TV or be distracted by too much conversation. Focus on food while eating it
8. Never eat when upset as food eaten at this time becomes toxic
9. Always sit down to eat to help put your attention on your food
10. Chew well, at least 32 times per mouthful. This enables the digestive enzymes in the mouth to do their work properly
11. Eat at a moderate pace to be aware of intake and limits
12. Eat freshly cooked meals to imbibe Prana (vital energy)
13. Reduce raw foods as they are harder to digest
14. Experience all six tastes at a meal (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and astringent).
15. Leave 1/3 to ¼ of your stomach empty to ease digestion.
16. Sit quietly for a few minutes after your meal to consciously transform food into your being

EAT TO LIVE, DON’T LIVE TO EAT.

Unhealthy Eating Habits
1. Overeating
2. Eating too soon after a full meal
3. Drinking too much water with a meal
4. Drinking very chilled water during a meal, or indeed at any time
5. Eating when constipated
6. Eating at the wrong time of the day, either too early or too late
7. Eating fruit or drinking fruit juice with a meal as this can lead to fermentation in stomach
8. Eating without real hunger
9. Emotional eating
10. Eating incompatible foods (e.g. fish with milk, salt with milk, fruit with meals, milk with bananas, yogurt with milk, melons with everything, eggs with milk)
11. Snacking between meals
12. Consuming honey when cooked or when added to a hot drink/substance. When honey is heated, the molecules become like glue that adheres to mucus membranes and produces toxins.