Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food.

Ayurveda, translated as ‘science of life’ is the ancient natural wisdom of health and healing. It’s also the mother of all healing systems. It focuses more on root causes rather than symptomatic treatment. Ayurveda looks at health in terms of physical, mental and subtle aspects of the whole body. Ayurveda goes really deep into considerations such as cooking preparation, storage, times, seasons, age of the patient, environment, lifestyle, food habits e.g. sequence of eating and pleasant eating atmosphere, where and how food is grown.

The modern, affluent lifestyle has taken us away from the use of fresh fruits and vegetables. The diet has become high in saturated fats, refined sugar, meat, and commercially processed foods. These tasty, rich, heavy and sweet foods have little nutrient value. People substitute lack of nutrition in food by chemical supplements. Modern science only sees food value as calorie and biochemical content. There are many subtle aspects that Ayurveda recognizes.

Eating

• Eating is a sacred act that involves the entire self and needs to be done right.

• Eat in moderation and only when there is real hunger. Do not eat food standing. Sit and eat silently.

• Fast occasionally to detoxify the body and clean gastrointestinal tract. Fasting also improves mental strength. Do not have a large meal when concluding the fast.

• Eat simple. Too many kinds of foods in a meal will cause distraction to the mind. Eat food with love and care. It will increase life energy in the person.

• Try to eat light and warm for dinner for good sleep and digestion. Eat about 3 hrs before sleep. Avoid cheese, ice-cream, yogurt, melons and cold foods for dinner. Warm milk is good when taken in the evenings. Largest meal should be taken during lunch time. Get up early before sunrise. Best time to eat is one hour after getting up in the morning until sunset. Chew food thoroughly. Digestion begins in the mouth with salivary action. Chewing also enables easy digestion. Eat 1/3rd solid, 1/3rd liquid and 1/3rd air. Avoid over-eating and know that burp is a signal from the body to stop eating. Do not combine hot and cold foods in the same meal. Do not combine raw and cooked foods together unless they…