2024-08-14 06:46:04
According to Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, food is extremely important to keep life healthy and balanced. Food is considered to be the fundamental element not only for physical but also for mental health. Charaka Samhita states that food is life and an ideal diet provides satisfaction, nourishment, strength, and intelligence.
Dr. Nitish Pathania, Ayurveda Expert, Art of Living Sri Sri Wellbeing According to Ayurveda, the right time, quantity, and type of food directly affects our physical and mental health. Let us know what is the right way and time to eat food in Ayurveda.
Eight main rules for food in Ayurveda
- Nature: Food has a particular nature or quality, e.g. green green gram is light, while black urad is heavy.
- Karan: Method of preparation of food, which affects the quality of food.
- Combination: Proper combination of food, like avoiding incompatible foods with milk.
- Rashi: The amount of food that is needed for proper nutrition and health.
- Country: The place where a food is grown, as soil and climate affect its qualities.
- Kaal: Meal time, in which the quantity and type of food is selected based on day and night.
- Use Code: Rules for eating food, which are essential for proper digestion and prevention of diseases.
- User: The person consuming the food, whose physical and mental condition affects digestion and the effectiveness of food.
Ideal Meal Timings: Importance of Dwi Annakala
In Ayurveda, the ideal meal timing for a healthy life is twice a day, called “Dwi Annakala”. In ancient times, people followed this time table, but nowadays three meals a day have become common. According to Ayurveda, the main meal time is during Pitta Kaal, i.e. between 11 am and 1 pm. The digestive fire is strongest at this time, which helps in digesting food properly and prevents the formation of “Ama” (undigested food).
Food and Mindfulness: Focusing on Proper Digestion
Dr Pathania emphasises that it is extremely important to keep the mind focused on food while eating. Nowadays people eat while watching TV or doing other activities, which diverts their attention from food. According to Ayurveda, the mind and the stomach are closely connected. When we focus on eating, the digestion process takes place properly. If the mind is distracted elsewhere, the digestion process may be hampered, and this may lead to digestive problems.
Meal timing and variation by age
Meal times may also vary according to age. For children between 1 and 8 years, food should be nutritious and they should be fed whenever they feel hungry. The ideal meal times are 7 to 9 a.m., 12 to 2 p.m., and at sunset. After the age of 20 to 28 years, meal times depend on the person’s occupation. After 28 years, a healthy person should eat two meals a day, and after 40 years it is better to follow this pattern.
Diet according to Prakruti: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
People with Vata Prakriti have irregular hunger periods. If they are given heavy food and not given on time, it can have a bad effect on their health. People with Pitta Prakriti should include more buttermilk in their diet, while people with Kapha Prakriti can tolerate long fasts. The time and type of food should be determined according to the Prakriti of the person, but whatever Prakriti they may be, one rule is common to all that everyone should have dinner before sunset.
Ayurvedic principles: rules of food and health
The principles of food in Ayurveda state that food should be fresh and clean. Stale or packaged food should be avoided. People nowadays fix a time for every meal and whether they are hungry or not, whether the food is digested or not, they eat food at their scheduled time. This is not right. One should not eat the next meal until the food is digested properly. This principle keeps a person away from diseases.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.