Eating healthily, the Ayurveda way

Dietary advice:

• Every ingredient that goes into your food has its own quality known as Prakriti. Some are heavy, others are light. For example, raw vegetables are heavy and can create a Vata imbalance, while yellow lentils are light and are easy to digest. Cold water is heavy and can cause dosha imbalances and disturb digestion, but warm water is light and kindles the digestive fire.
• Processing food can also change its qualities—raw vegetables when cooked become light and easy to digest.
• Certain foods should never be taken together, like yoghurt and fruit, or ghee and honey which can lead to the formation of toxins in our bodies.
• What you should eat throughout the year changes with the seasons. In winter it is advised to take more oil and ghee as this can reduce internal and external dryness, balancing the Vata dosha. In winter, as the digestive fire is strong the quantity of food may be increased. In summer, to counteract the heat, incorporate cooling recipes into your diet, while in spring cleansing foods are suggested

• When to eat daily is highly dependent on your overall health. Late-night snacking causes many gastric upsets and disturbs sleep—aim to have a light dinner that finishes by 7:30-8pm is recommended.
• The food you eat should be warm—not overcooked, undercooked or leftovers.
• Eat your food at a moderate pace—not too fast or too slow.
• Eat to about ¾ of your stomach’s capacity for your biggest meal. This equals the contents of your two cupped hands. Ideally, one third of your meal should consist of liquid food of a soupy consistency. 
• If you like to drink with your meals, it is best to sip a small glass of hot or warm water. Avoid drinking large quantities of liquid right before and within 2 hours of eating.
• Take 100 steps after each meal to help aid digestion and the movement of food through the intestines.
• Eat food with a peaceful mind, anger and negative thoughts can disturb normal digestion, vitamin absorption and your metabolism.

Dr. Resmi V. Rajagopal, BAMS, MS (Ayurveda Gynec), PGDYN

Ayurvedic Physician & Gynecologist Dr. Resmi is a versatile Ayurveda doctor from Kerala, India. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Pankajakasthuri Ayurveda Medical College and her Master’s Degree from Jamnagar college in AyurvedaGynecology & Pregnancy Care. Read more »